The oh-so-mighty Mage's Loyal Knight
Author's note: Tbh, before Cyran and Morgan were introduced, I loved Valen first when AFK J first came out. I always had a Merlin x Valen ship, so I'm happy I finally get to write a piece about him. This won't be a ship writing, but I will of course leave it up to your beautiful imaginations to take whatever it is you want from this ;)
Includes spoilers from Crown of Ashes - Twilight Accord side quest.
Setting: After Merlin invited Valen to go with them to Savannah prior to Crown of Ashes main quest events. Characters: Merlin, Valen
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"I'm on vacation."
That was the excuse Valen had given Merlin. The great Magister who saved their world years ago from being swallowed by hypogeans. And he thought he could trick them somehow.
Merlin being Merlin, nothing got past them, and in their usual cut-throat certainty, told him he had an excuse for everything.
All he could do was muster his usual smile. He would leave it up to Merlin to decode that themself.
But days after they departed for Savannah, the fishes weren't Valen’s only company. Regret lingered long after he denied their invitation.Â
He could see Merlin's face painted in his mind. There was a glimmer in the Magister's eyes, far brighter than the stars that lit Ryeham’s skies. When their eyes locked on him, focused and sincere, the lapping of the water, the warm breeze, brushing grass all melted away. His heart started. A childish excitement rattled his chest, ready and yearning to run wild again freely.
Yet, he raised his hand to reject their invitation. The match lit within him was snuffed out quickly with the breath of adult reality. His heart deflated, so low it could have sunken into his stomach. He ignored it. He was a knight now, not a galavanting young’n.
Not to mention, the destination was Savannah. A hard pass. Yes, that place built him into who he was, but it also was a place he left behind and should be kept behind. If the great Merlin couldn't remember their past, and ventured forward with their future, why couldn't he do the same?
"And now I'm spending time with the fishes," he jerked his fishing pole. Resting his chin in his hand, he leaned on his propped elbow and waited…and waited…
Some vacation this was. Nothing but him and the flies sharing the waters' beauty.
Merlin was right. He always had excuses. They were easy to fetch, easy to twist, mendable like hot metal ready to be hammered into any weapon. Still, a part of him, the boy he was in Savannah, was once again rattling inside him.
Why did you reject their invitation? Wasn't it you who wrote Merlin jabbing them for always going on marvelous adventures? Griping they never thought about inviting you? "Their loyal knight"?
Valen swatted a fly buzzing near his ear.Â
Excuses were not the only abundant supplies he had, but hypocrises too.
Yes, he was jealous. He wanted to be with Merlin on their adventures. Ever since he got to know Merlin beyond the myth and legend, he wanted to join them in being Esperia’s torch. But he had a duty here in Holistone. His life was here.
A bubble surfaced and popped on the water. Valen watched the bubble’s aftershock ripple in rings.
Every time Merlin left, he hid his worries behind pints and forced smiles in front of others. His mind ran nonstop wondering if they were safe or in trouble. Should he have gone or it’s best to stay out of their way? Relief only came when he saw their bright face returning, their whole self in one piece. Then he would unleash an onslaught of jests and jabs to release all the tension he stored.
Courage. That’s what he was lacking, he realized. And that’s what he admired about Merlin the most.They never hesitated to face danger head-on, knowing full well the consequences if they didn’t act.
Although Hogan had seen courage in Valen too, telling him he had what it took to be a knight of the order, he didn’t feel it to be the same one Merlin carried.
The magister was starbright and shining. And Valen was…well. What was he? True to his own principles and values, doing what he thought was right and serving those who were helpless.
When did he become so lame? Valen laughed. What would his younger self think of him now? Stars above, even the hamsters were putting in their hard earned time at the Lyceum! Â
Stooping over the water, he caught his reflection waving. His face distorted, wobbling in the deep blue. Valen blinked back at himself. What was he doing? He was a knight. If anything, their loyal knight.
Valen straightened his back.
"Holly!" He scrambled from his spot, leaving his fishing pole behind. He rushed into Merlin's mystical home, finding Holly busy with some stack of books. In a hurried breath, he asked if she could fetch him some paper and ink.
“You sure it’s not a pint?” Holly’s red head tilted.
“Later, but first—I need to write to Merlin!”
Holly’s gentle smile was enough to let him know she understood. She disappeared up the stairs and Valen was left on his own.
What about his duties? Who would take care of them?
Ah, but that didn’t matter anyways—he was still on vacation. He could afford to go meet up with the oh-so-mighty mage.
Now all he needed was a perfect excuse ready for Merlin as to how he ended up in Savannah…
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For some context, I'm attaching some screenshots from the game that helped inspire me to write this piece! I had to dig through some past letters and scenes, but hope it adds a little bit of extra flavour to the story.