Merlin had a troubled childhood from the beginning, after all, he was the bastard son of a princess, and the world never had a proper place for him. Throughout his childhood, he was scolded or faced the hatred of the people present around him. His original name was Myrdden Emrys and later as he grew up, he changed his name and the new name brought a change in his destiny too. Very quickly Merlin made his way through the corridors of the castle and went closer to the throne when he wasn’t even trying for it.
High King Vortigern first brought Merlin to the palace when his expertise was needed for a prophecy and then the powerful mage became a permanent part of the ruling class. Though he belonged to the royal family the problem was that his father was not known. For many years he searched for his father and then he decided to make his legacy instead of mourning the stupid things of the past.
Mary Stewart has never portrayed a weak character, The Hollow Hills and Nine Coaches Waiting are fine examples of the things which the author has created in the past. Merlin is not different from the rest of the enthusiastic characters which the author has created, the only difference is that he is not with a solid background.
Perhaps his background would bring more tragedies for him, that’s why it is kept buried somewhere in the mind. Derek Perkins has done a splendid job as the narrator of the book, there are some places where the narrator has used a break to make the listeners rest a moment before getting the main action.