Chapter Text
As the trio continued their journey to England, Merlin could sense the duo's boredom, they kept rowing but he could see the fatigue on their young faces and the last thing he wanted was moody children, he should lighten the atmosphere
“Okay let's take a break from rowing, tell me a little about yourselves” Merlin puts his rowing stick down “little girl” he points at Amaya “what was your name again?....Amy was it?”
“Amaya” she looks a bit annoyed at the mispronunciation “right, tell me about yourself, any hobbies?”. The question felt random and took her off guard, what is there to tell? She's a… was a scullery maid in training, not that she did much except cause pranks….she liked to paint whenever she wasn't with Magnifico, she'd go into the courtyard whenever it was empty and paint the scenery, she really enjoyed painting the flowers.
“Errr…..painting i guess” she shrugs “not that I've ever made anything amazing…”
“Aah you're a visual artist, keep up the ambition young one and you'll produce an amazing art piece” Merlin winked
Amaya looked away, “I'm not really that good….”
Magnifico frowned slightly he didn't how she was putting herself down “Nonsense Amaya i bet you're amazing, honestly everything you do is amazing”
Merlin smiled at the exchange; he didn't need to use his future insight to see that these two lovebirds would have a bright future ahead of them.
“And you young prince?” Merlin gestured towards Magnifico.
The young prince felt unease at the question, he liked singing with his parents whenever they weren't busy with their royal duties, he'd never tell Amaya this because he didn't think his singing voice wasn't good….at least that's what he subconsciously thought sometimes “I've tried singing before with my parents”
Amaya looked surprised “you sing? you never told me this Maggie” she said pretending to sound heartbroken
“You never told me you paint” Magnifico counterpointed while smirking
Amaya chuckled “touché”
Merlin was pleased his plan to “lighten” the atmosphere had worked! Now he needed to keep it that way
With the flick of his wrist he flared magic from his magic hand and caused the boat to quickly move on it's own.
The young children looked surprised. “You can use magic to make things move on there own!?” Amaya exclaimed in awe
Merlin stroked his bread to appear wise “Why of course younglin, magic can do just about anyth-”
“You could do this the WHOLE time!?” Magnifico cut him off clearly pissed,his cheeks puffed and little arms crossed as his brows formed wrinkle waves in his forehead
Merlin mentally groaned, so much for having a “peaceful” atmosphere, luckily for him Amaya managed to calm him down a bit
Amaya looked at Magnifico “At least we're getting closer now” she made an awkward smile
Magnifico calmed down but was still annoyed that they had been rowing for hours just for Merlin to do this. He sat down crossing his arms
The faster paced ride to England was getting warmer now
“So will the English accept me and Amaya?” Magnifico asked, he was scared of going to a new place and not knowing what the people will think of him
Merlin could sense the fear the young prince was feeling “People will accept you but small minded people may not” he stated deciding not to sugar coat things
Magnifico nodded, he shouldn't be scared of what people think of him. He needs to be strong and fearless to be king, if he had been stronger maybe he could have stopped what happened to his kingdom……. He needs to be able to protect Amaya his only friend from danger
As night approached Merlin made the boat bigger to store things as Amaya and Magnifico set up their beds “Hey Mags…are you okay?” Amaya asked as she noticed worry on his face
Magnifico looked away, he was embarrassed but he didn’t mind sharing things with Amaya
“I just..” he breathes in “What if I wake up and you’re not here?” he closed his eyes “what if i’m all alone and all of this is just a dream?” he almost whispered that last part, this was so pathetic how can he protect people when he acts so weak
Magnifico opened his eyes when he felt his hand squeezed “Amaya?”
“I'm still here Mags” she looked him straight in his eyes “it’s going to be okay, we’ve been a team since day one, and we always will be pff I mean can you name a more iconic duo of friends?” she smiled at that last part as Maginfico wiped a tear from his face and chuckled
“I’m lucky to have you”