This was really great, I feel so bad for Merlin. I love that someone else saw the beauty in his magic. His mother is so great too, you characterize her well.

Such sadness
for Merlin.
Good for Will
and Jess.
Ealdor has
a lot of nasty people
in it.
Well done.

That was so sad and beautiful at the same time. I loved it! Please write some more Ealdor stories like this, maybe even change it up a bit and have older Merlin talking about his childhood to Arthur, Gwen and the Knights. I would totally read that. This story was perfect! Great work!