Chapter 1 The boy Merlin
Young Merlin lives in a castle with his mother, Princess Adhan. The castle is in Wales, in the west of King Vortigern’s kingdom. Merlin doesn’t know his father. He’s fighting for the king far away.
The castle is near a forest. Merlin and his mother often walk there. She teaches him about forest plants. ‘When you’re older, you can come here without me,’ she says. ‘But be careful. There are many hunters.
And an enchantress, Ceridwen, lives here, too.’
Merlin’s only friend is a toad. One day, Merlin visits the village near the castle. Two boys, Morfran and Arwel, are behind him. But Merlin doesn’t see them. He talks to his toad.
‘Merlin’s talking to his toad!’ Morfran laughs.
‘Go away,’ Merlin says. ‘Or when my father comes back home . . .’
‘We’re not afraid, Merlin. Your father’s never at home,’ Arwel says. ‘And is he truly your father? Perhaps you’re a demon’s child!’
That night, Merlin tells his mother everything. ‘What can I do about these boys?’ he asks.
‘I can talk to those bullies,’ Princess Adhan says. ‘No,’ Merlin answers. ‘They call me a “mother’s boy” without that!’
‘Then your father can speak to them after he comes home,’ she smiles. ‘But be careful with Morfran. He’s Ceridwen’s son.’
