immortality [wizarding world] | ?

十

She didn't know why, but something about the stars comforted her. They seemed to give off a sense of familiarity and something that felt like home. She could never put her finger on what it meant exactly.

Mathilda quietly watched the final, dying rays of the sun disappear, and continued to sit to sit in the dim lighting that her candles provided.

There was a beautiful silence that had enveloped Mathilda Salvar, one so mesmerising that she felt she was in a lukewarm bath. It was as though time had stopped; and for all Mathilda knew, it very well could have.

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She had had a horrible nightmare – one of raging seas, sinking ships, and people she loved drowning into oblivion. She couldn't possibly explain it, but it had reduced her to a nervous wreck. Muttering in a strange mix of Spanish, English, and Mermish, Mathilda quickly realised that she had woken late: and that she had absolutely no idea when – her heart skipped a beat when she thought of him – Merlin Ambrosius was going to visit.

"Díos mio – and what if he sees this mess you've made, Mati – joder..."

She spent the entire morning waving her wand around her cottage, making sure everything was up to par. Then, when she realised that Merlin was probably going to stop by in the afternoon, she retreated to her garden, where she practiced magic, transfiguring flowers and conjuring tricky charms.

She didn't see him arrive, but there was this hauntingly beautiful magical presence he had that signaled his arrival.

"Hi there." He said, his voice soft.

"Oh!" She turned around, and the garden returned to normal. "Hullo... Merlin." His cheeks flushed a bright pink, and Mathilda had to suppress a chuckle.

"Would... Would you be up for a walk today?" He asked, offering his arm to her.

"I would very much like that, thank you. Let me – Let me go get my... ah, cane."

"Cane?" He looked confused, and Mathilda suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"I contracted a virus... when I was twelve," she explained, her voice small. "I'm afraid I've never properly recovered. I'm sorry if it bothers you, I'll just –"

"Mathilda," he started, and her insides turned upside down. "You shouldn't be ashamed – it isn't your fault," he grabbed both of her hands, and it was her turn to blush. "Magic, after all, can't fix everything." She nodded, and turned to go get her cane.

When she returned, she found Merlin running his hands through his hair, looking disconcerted. The emotion on his face was so raw, and so passionate, that Mathilda had to pinch herself to make sure what she was seeing was real.

"Merlin?" She asked, tentatively.

"Yes – I'm... I'm fine." He broke out of his trance, and hurried to her side.

The two walked side by side, in a thoughtful silence that Mathilda did not dare to interrupt.

"I'm sorry, Mathilda... Yesterday, when I saw you with your walking stick, I did not even think to ask about it – I just assumed –"

"Oh, please do not fret about that, Merlin. There's nothing you can do about it, I promise."

"But... I wish there was..." He mumbled softly, the words tumbling out of his mouth. She was touched by how much he cared, really, but Mathilda quickly steered the conversation away from the entire gloominess of the situation.

"You didn't really tell me before, but why exactly are you staying here?"

"Well, to be honest, I was about to leave, then I met this very kind girl..."

Before she even knew it, hours had passed – the two had exhausted Hogsmeade so much that they had started to Apparate to their favourite places, showing each other many of their best-loved views.

By the end of their little odyssey, Mathilda felt closer to Merlin more than anyone else in her life; there were only a few things she did not know about him.

As the two settled down where they had begun – Mathilda's garden – Merlin told her about Morgan le Fey.

"It's ridiculous, Mathilda, but she's not only dangerous to us, but the Muggles as well. She's meddling in very dark things."

"And you... Believe that one day, you may have to face her?"

"There's a prophecy," He closed his eyes and lay on the soft grass. "She hasn't heard it, but I managed too. I know I'll have to face her one day... I just – I just don't know the outcome." Slowly, Mathilda lowered herself to lie down next to him.

There was a beat before Mathilda spoke.

"Merlin..." She grabbed his hand. "I may not know what will happen, but I will always stay by your side."

And the divine silence settled amongst the two once more. 

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i know it's been ages since i've updated, and i almost gave up on this story, but recently i've gotten so many reads and positive comments that the show genuinely had to go on. thank you to all of the people who stumbled/found this story and went "hey, why the heck not" - you guys rock. 

ok so i was proofreading this entire story and i noticed a lot (like a lot) of errors so i'll have to get to that asap yikes

happy holidays to all, and i promise to update more regularly!!

love,

clara