[Third Person's PoV]
Arthur hid behind Merlin, peeking out from the corner, his eyes shimmering with excitement. If there was one thing Arthur loved more than magic, it was magical creatures.
Merlin pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "And what exactly did it say to you?"
"I asked if I could pet it, and it said I may. Then I asked if it had just talked, and it replied, 'Blessed Child, do you perhaps understand me?' That's when I ran to get you," Arthur said giddily. He was especially thrilled that Fawkes looked nothing like his movie counterpart.
One of his biggest pet peeves about the film adaptation was how they had failed to capture the majestic image of a phoenix, instead turning it into what resembled a red stuffed turkey.
The phoenix seemed wary of Merlin right from the start. To Arthur, there was even a hint of hostility, which made him curious.
"There was no need to call forth your guardian, child," Fawkes sang out. "Especially considering your guardian is a demon!"
Arthur's expression soured almost instantly. If there was one thing he hated more than he loved magical creatures, it was someone speaking ill of Merlin.
The sudden shift in Arthur's demeanor made the Flamel couple curious.
"What did it say?" Perenelle asked.
Arthur frowned. "It insulted Merlin." His tone hardened as he turned back to Fawkes. "Listen, as much as I respect phoenixes and what they represent, I won't allow you to speak badly about Merlin. That is the one thing I will neither permit nor forgive. Apologize this instant." Authority surged through his voice and presence.
The room fell silent as they processed Arthur's sudden change in demeanor—something they hadn't expected.
Fawkes met Arthur's intense gaze before glancing at Merlin. After a moment, the phoenix bowed its head. "I apologize. It appears I was rather harsh. I hope this does not put us at odds."
Arthur translated before returning to his usual grin. "Alright! Since you properly apologized, no harm done. We'll start over, properly this time."
Then, he finally asked the question that had been on everyone's mind—except Merlin's. "How can I understand what it's saying?"
"It seems you've been born with a rare magical ability—the gift to understand the language of magical creatures and beasts," Merlin said, as though forming a hypothesis.
"Oh, like a Metamorphmagus! It's extremely rare for a wizard or witch to possess such an ability," Perenelle said, a look of understanding crossing her face. "You're quite lucky, aren't you, Arthur?"
"Is it really luck? With how smart and talented Arthur is, I wouldn't be surprised if he comes from some noble bloodline of witches and wizards," Nicholas said with an amused scoff.
Arthur felt Merlin's gaze on him and knew she wanted to speak privately.
*"What is it?"* Merlin asked, opening her thoughts to him.
Arthur did the same. *"I have some questions. Does this have anything to do with me being a Pendragon, or was I just lucky to be born with this ability?"*
*"No, not a Pendragon,"* Merlin corrected. *"A Le Fay."*
Thanks to his Occlumency lessons, Arthur kept his emotions in check, but inwardly, he was astonished. *"A Le Fay?! How the hell am I a Le Fay?!"*
*"We'll talk about this later,"* Merlin said, knowing the conversation would take too long.
Arthur clearly had more questions but mentally noted them for when he and Merlin were alone.
Just then, Fawkes let out another cry, drawing their attention back to him. Arthur nearly laughed at being turned into a translator. "He's asking if we can hurry along with the reply—he can't stay too long, or else Dumbledore will start to worry."
"Oh, that's right…" Nicholas said, finally remembering the letter. He reached over to his desk and opened it.
His eyes scanned the parchment before looking up. "He says he finds your research and books fascinating. However, before endorsing anything, he wants to have a one-on-one meeting with you tomorrow. From the way he words it, he seems eager to discuss your ideas in more depth. He's asking for a time and place where you two could meet."
"Here should be more than fine, if that's okay with you," Perenelle suggested, glancing at Arthur for confirmation.
Arthur nodded. "As for the time, it should be around when I usually visit in the afternoon."
Nicholas nodded in agreement and retrieved a quill and parchment. After writing down the time and place, he sealed the letter in an envelope and handed it to Fawkes.
Before the phoenix could leave, Arthur gently ran his fingers over its fiery feathers, smiling warmly. "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Phoenix. I hope we can truly be friends in the future."
Fawkes stared into Arthur's earnest eyes and soft smile. Then, with the envelope secured in its beak, it gave a slow, deliberate nod.
In an instant, flames engulfed its body, and it vanished, leaving behind glowing embers that quickly faded into the air.
---
Later that night…
Arthur and Merlin arrived back home. Without hesitation, Arthur rushed inside and scooped up Cosmos, who had been resting in its small bed.
The cat let out a startled screech as Arthur held it up, his eyes narrowing in determination. "Alright, there's no fooling me, little man. Speak. I know you can do it. I know your secret. Don't worry—I won't say a word to anyone."
Cosmos simply tilted its head, yawned dramatically, stretched out its tongue, then lazily smacked its lips. "Meow~"
"You think you're real funny, don't you?" Arthur deadpanned.
"Ow!" Arthur yelped, rubbing the top of his head as he turned to Merlin with a look of injustice. "What was that for?!"
"Stop bothering Cosmos," Merlin scoffed.
"But, Mel… I think my abilities are broken! I can't understand him," Arthur said, genuinely disappointed.
"They're not broken. Cosmos is just a normal cat," Merlin explained with a sigh. "Your abilities only work on magical creatures."
"Oh…" Arthur muttered, realization dawning on him.
Then, his expression grew serious. "Earlier, you mentioned that my ability is tied to the Le Fay bloodline. If that's the case, why do I possess it?"
Merlin motioned for Arthur to sit down. "This is going to take a while to explain, so get comfortable."
Arthur settled onto the couch, and Cosmos curled up in his lap. He hesitated before asking, "Before anything… it wasn't just a coincidence that I was named Arthur and my sister was named Morgana, was it?"
Merlin shook her head. "That wasn't a mere coincidence."
Arthur looked down, his fists tightening on his lap. "I see… So my sister was actually Morgana Le Fay." His brows furrowed in thought. "But that's weird... She wasn't anything special, she didn't appear to be ang reincarnator either. If she was truly Morgana from the legends, she wouldn't have acted the way she did. Momo was just… normal. She cried, made a mess when she ate, played with toys, and blew spit bubbles. She used to follow me around like any little sister would follow her older brother."
His grip on his lap tightened further. "She was a normal baby who cried at night—so much so that she annoyed our father. I had to step in to protect her from him. I refuse to believe that all of that was just an act!"
Merlin watched him carefully before speaking. "And I don't doubt that. I'm not saying she wasn't just a normal baby. But the Le Fay bloodline is… unique. To truly understand, you need to learn more about her." She sighed.
Leaning forward, she raised a finger. "What I'm about to tell you is a secret known only within the Le Fay household."
Arthur leaned forward, curiosity and anticipation lighting up his features.
"Within the Le Fay family, every hundred years, there is a potential for someone in the bloodline to awaken the memories of Morgana Le Fay—memories she intentionally transferred through her lineage."
Arthur's eyes widened. "She did that… on purpose?"
Merlin nodded. "She did it for one reason and one reason only—to ensure that, if Arthur Pendragon ever truly returned, she could continue her revenge."
Arthur felt a chill run down his spine. "And… the last time these memories were awakened?"
Merlin's voice was calm but firm. "109 years ago."
Arthur's breath hitched. "…109…" He murmured, his mind racing. Then, realization struck him like lightning. "Nine—the same age Momo would be today."
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