Chapter Text
Avalon was one of many agreed upon safe spaces for the world’s magical folk. A neutral ground for folk to mingle and share information and relax in a, cleverly disguised as normal, pub one might find anywhere else on the streets of Edinburgh. Seelie and Unseelie court members sat together peaceably alongside angels, wizards, and former demi-gods, amongst other magic folk.
Merlin sipped his beer looking out over the assortment of patrons in attendance at his favorite haunt. Up near the fire, curled into his cozy chair, was Kilgharrah. When shrouded in glamour, such as he was, he was a large, grizzled old man with bright yellow eyes, nails, and teeth. When his glamour was dropped, however, he was a gigantic brown dragon with a wingspan the size of half a football pitch. Across from him was a couch currently holding a siren and succubus deep in conversation, sipping bright pink cocktails. He watched as a selkie and a kelpie walked with their horns of mead to the back room which held cold and hot pools for water creatures to drop their glamours and swim freely. A brawl between a dwarf and elf was quickly being broken up by a golem.
Merlin smiled into the rim of his glass. Things hadn’t changed much since he last dropped by.
A new face slid onto the bar stool next to him and ordered something from the barkeep in arabic. Merlin turned his face to inspect the newcomer and felt a jolt of excitement shoot through him. He couldn’t help but stare, not only because of the rarity of such a chance encounter but also because of his impeccable beauty. The man, whose skin shone a radiant blue hue and had dark almond eyes to match his mop of delightful curls, was a Jinni. They were notorious for keeping to themselves for fear of being confined to a “master” and doing their bidding, abusing their powers. Merlin had never seen one in the flesh and would not pass up the opportunity to get to know one.
“Before you ask,” the Jinni started, his voice like music, “yes, I am of the Jinn. No, I will not grant you wishes.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Merlin assured. “Forgive my staring. I just have not witnessed one of your kind before.”
“That is not surprising. We are a lonesome people.”
“Allow me to make it less lonesome for you.” Merlin extended his hand for a shake, “ as-salaam 'alaykum. My name is Merlin, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
The Jinni’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before his mouth twitched into a small smile. He accepted Merlin’s hand and replied, “ealaykum 'an alssalam. My name is Faruq.”
From there, the two passed the evening in pleasant conversation. Merlin told Faruq of his quiet life and where he used his magic mostly as a means to make his life, and that of his friends, easier. Faruq talked about visiting those who were in true need and giving them a hand, doing favors rather than granting wishes. He allowed Merlin to ask after small tidbits of Jinn lore but was understandably hesitant to divulge too much. Jinn were cautious by nature. This didn’t deter Merlin one bit and he responded with enthusiastic retelling of wizard myths and the inconsistencies in the lore. He mentioned then how hard it was sometimes to keep his magic secret and Faruq laughed and told him of the time he forgot to apply his glamour before leaving his home and scared his neighbor.
“Poor Mrs. MacNamarah,” Faruq chuckled, “should have heard her.” He adopted a fake scottish accent and reenacted his neighbor’s fit. “‘Death oin a pirn stick! Yer as blue as blue as tey cahm!’ Had to fade and pretend I didn’t know what she was talking about the next morning when we were putting the bins out.”
Merlin’s eyes teared with laughter and he ordered another round.
By the time last call came around Merlin was thoroughly sloshed and Faruq’s eyes had gone shiny with mirth. They settled down and ordered their final drink and settled their bills. Merlin had suddenly gone contemplative and had a question ready to jump off the tip of his tongue.
“I can see you have a question, my friend. One you’re not sure you should ask.”
“Just don’t want to risk offense.”
“You have been very polite and pleasant company thus far, Merlin. I can forgive one personal question if you are brave enough to ask.” Faruq took a sip of his cocktail, eyeing Merlin out of the corner of his eye.
Merlin licked the foam of beer from his lip and thought about it. When would he ever get the chance to ask another Jinni this question? He very much doubted there being very many Jinn willing to drink and speak freely with folk not their own. He decided to risk it. “What’s it like?”
Faruq’s eyebrow quirked and he fixed Merlin with an amused grin. “What’s what like?”
“The type of power you have?”
Faruq shrugged and asked, “what is yours like? From what I understand, you’re quite powerful yourself.”
“All magic has limitations,” Merlin countered. “Jinn magic doesn’t seem to have many. Lore says you’re servants until otherwise released. I see no shackles on your wrists but you say you still retain much of your power.” Faruq’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly as he angled himself to lean onto the bar. “What was it like before you were released? You never told me how you were released.”
Faruq sighed. “Some stories are not meant to be told,” he told Merlin simply. “But I can understand your query.” He took a long swallow before taking a deep breath, focusing his gaze onto the bar. “The rush of power, at the beginning of my making, is something that you can only understand after experiencing it. Jinn are not born as humans, or in your case Wizards, are born. We come into this world with full consciousness. All is clear and open to us. And then, we are filled with such enormous,” he cupped his hands as if trying to hold onto a adequate descriptor, “purpose. Purpose, understanding, and magic. We could literally move mountains with the flick of a wrist.” He took a sip and added, “but like you so stated, there are limitations.”
“We are given free will, much like you. We make our own decisions and make our own fate. But our power peaks when we are left to our own devices. A “handicap”, I guess would be the appropriate term. To keep us from singlehandedly destroying all that is good in the world. But all that potential is unleashed when given over to a small man with small dreams.”
“Your masters,” Merlin supplied, understanding.
Faruq nodded. “Most men do not understand fully the potential of having phenomenal cosmic powers. They cannot see beyond their own rise to power, their own wealth, their own little microcosm of influence. This is their own “handicap”, as it were. Most of us prefer to keep them that way.”
“I see,” Merlin murmured.
“So, you can imagine how frustrating it is to have such potential and never reach it due to short sightedness. To know there is more but never obtain it.” He drained his drink. “Probably for the best but unsettling nonetheless.”
“I can’t imagine,” Merlin answered honestly. Hoping to change to a lighter topic he asked, “do you ever tell anyone other than the other folk what you are?”
Faruq snorted and laughed genuinely. “No. Heavens, no. Why, do you?”
“There are a couple people I’ve told. My mum of course, how could she not know. After all, she raised me and watched me make things fly around the room and whatnot. My mentor, Gaius. Then there’s my oldest mate, Will. My friends Gwen and Morgana, and last but not least my flatmate Arthur.”
Faruq studied him with awe. “That is quite a long list. You must trust them greatly.”
“With my life,” Merlin confirmed. “Morgana does a bit of magic herself, mostly love spells and all that rot. Gwen learned some white magic from her that anyone could do. Practical or kitchen magic, as it’s called.”
“And Will and Arthur?”
“They don’t do magic at all. But they’re my best mates and don’t take advantage. Will actually studies lore as a hobby. Arthur doesn’t really care one way or the other. So long as there aren’t anyone placing curses on him or trying to rope him into deals.”
Faruq chuckled, “you’ve introduced him to a fairy?”
“I stopped him from accepting an apple from a fairy,” Merlin corrected. “I usually don’t make it a habit of conversing with the fey. They’re tricky to entertain.”
He drained his beer to the tune of Faruq’s laughter. The Jinni slapped his palm on the bar with one hand and held his belly with the other. The lights went up in the bar and patrons began collecting their belongings. Merlin didn’t want their conversation to end so he did the only thing he could think of.
“Would you like to continue our chat? I have a delightful tea blend at home that I think you might find pleasing.”
Faruq’s defenses were up immediately. “Why?”
Merlin shrugged. “Because I find you fascinating and I think you’re in need of a friend. And a good cuppa,” he added with a smile.
“How good is this tea?”
“Good enough to curl your toes,” he boasted.
Faruq laughed once more and slid off his barstool. “I’ll have to taste that to believe it. Lead the way.”