Hi, this is Emily Grace and you're reading my first ever Merlin fanfic! I'd just like to say, in this, Morgana is good, Gwen and Arthur are married, Merlin is still single (although that may change *hint, hint*), all the knights are still alive and I have made up a OC – hope you enjoy this! Also, I do not own Merlin – the amazing writers do! Thank you and enjoy!
Prologue
King Arthur Pendragon was pacing up and down the throne room in his castle in Camelot, his wife, Queen Guinevere, more commonly known as Gwen, watching him with a concerned eye. Merlin, his manservant, stood off to the side, preparing himself for either the wraith of the Once and Future King, or to be ignored. Either he could live without. He and Gwen shared a worried look, as Gwen slowly stepped forward, and reached out towards her husband. "Arthur, maybe it isn't true. It was only a rumour, after all."
"It better not be true, Gwen." Arthur snapped, before taking a few more steps, and pausing, his shoulders sagging. "I really hope it isn't," he said in a softer tone as Gwen walked forward and grabbed her King's hands.
"I suppose all we can do is wait for the return of Leon and Elyan." Gwen whispered, before leading Arthur back to his throne and sitting him down, before walking around to his side to massage his shoulders. Arthur's head fell back as he enjoyed the comfort she was giving him.
It didn't take too long after that for Sir Leon and the Queen's brother to walk into the throne room, causing Gwen to stop massaging Arthur's shoulders, and Arthur to sit up straight. Merlin eyed them as he leaned against the wall, not straightening up, but nodding to the two knights to show them he was paying attention. They both nodded back, before Leon addressed the king. "Your highness-"
Arthur sighed, shaking Gwen off him and standing up. "It can't be good news if you greet me in that manner, Leon."
Leon frowned and nodded slightly, before continuing. "Sire, there is no kind way to say this."
"Just say it, Leon." Arthur commanded, walking towards the paling knight.
Leon just stayed silent for a few moments, his eyes looking at his feet, before he said slowly. "King Godric and his wife, Queen Eugenia, of Lexador, are dead."
Gwen's hand quickly covered her mouth, muffling her gasp, Merlin lowered his eyes and Arthur stood motionless. Leon shut his mouth quickly, sharing an unreadable look with Elyan. Arthur stared at Leon for a few moments, before finally saying quietly. "And their children?"
Elyan nodded at Leon, before stepping forward and bowing slightly. "Sire, only one child remained."
"Out of all seven? Only one child survived?" Gwen questioned, looking horrified. "Who would do such a thing? Couldn't you of saved them?"
"Prince Cary did it." Elyan said, as Gwen's eyes started to water. "Look, Gwen, there was nothing Leon or I could do to save them. We were too late. The massacre had been completed. Servants were slaughtered, noblemen and women were slaughtered, even children. Prince Cary and his army had arrived earlier. Our men could do nothing. Most were already gone."
"Who survived?" Arthur asked, "You said one of the royalties survived. Who was it?"
Leon looked Arthur in the eye, and with a sorrowful tone, he answered. "Princess Amity."
"Of course," Arthur said bitterly, turning around quickly so the only one who could see the look of pain on his face was Merlin. "The only one Prince Cary could marry to take over the throne and rule Lexador. I should've guessed it."
"What is going to happen to the Princess?" Merlin asked, the first thing he had said since hearing a rumour that the royal family of Lexador had been murdered during the night.
"She is currently with the Lady Morgana, our men managed to save her from some of Cary's soldiers who were going to take her to the Prince. Lady Morgana is giving her a dress to borrow." Elyan responded with, as Arthur quickly whirled around.
"She shall stay here," he decided.
Leon stepped forward. "Sire, that is a huge decision. Prince Cary may attack us to get to her-"
"It is decided, Leon." Arthur paused to look at the Queen. "Unless my wife wishes against it."
"No, no, we should help her in anyway we can." Gwen stated hurriedly. "May we meet her soon, the poor girl must be scared and hungry. Did you feed her Elyan? I swear, if you didn't-"
"Of course we did, Gwen." Elyan told her.
Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock on the door and a guard entered, calling out. "Sire, Lady Morgana and Princess Amity are here." The guard bowed and moved to the side, allowing the two women to walk in.
The two contrasted each other. While Morgana's hair was wavy and dark, Princess Amity's hair was pale blonde and straight, with green eyes while Morgana's were blue. Princess Amity was at least two heads shorter than Morgana and looked around twelve years old, added to by the fact that her silver tiara with green, blue and silver gems in it, was slightly too big for head and slipping ever so slightly. The dress she was wearing was deep blue with silver diamonds and was clearly pinned up at the hem and taken in the bodice to suit her small young girl body. It surprised Merlin and Gwen to see such a young girl, when they were expecting a woman, but they quickly masked their faces with welcoming smiles. Arthur was quick to walk toward the Princess with his arms opens. The Princess looked scared until she saw Athur, when she smiled widely and ran forward and leapt into his arms. Gwen and Merlin gave each other a confused look, as both moved forward.
"Princess Amity, it has been a while." Arthur said when they pulled back from the hug. She smiled softly up at him, allowing him to see that there were a dainty number of freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose and up her cheekbones.
"Please, call me Amity. We are old friends after all." Princess Amity said, her voice soft and melodic.
"Call me Arthur, then." Arthur said fondly, as Princess Amity nodded.
"Like I would've called you anything other, unless it was twat, which I could call you a lot." Princess Amity teased, causing Arthur to reach forward and mess up her neat blonde hair and nudged her tiara, making it slip even further down her forehead. "Hey, stop it, you idiot! Morgana just fixed my hair." Arthur finally stopped when Gwen cleared her throat and Princess Amity quickly pushed her tiara back up before it could slip anymore.
"Oh, ah, Amity, may I introduce my wife, Guinevere." Arthur said, moving back so Gwen could move forward and Gwen and Princess Amity could get a good look at each other.
"Princess Amity, it's a pleasure to meet you, although I'm sorry it's under such sad circumstances." Gwen told Princess Amity, who curtsied.
"Thank you, your highness. It is a pleasure to meet you, I too wish it was in better context. And call me Amity, any friend of Arthur's is a friend of mine." Princess Amity replied, as her eyes started to go watery, before they hardened with a stubborn glint and she raised her head with pride. It was clear to those around her she was trying to act strong, as she is the future Queen of her home. Her parents were both only children of her deceased grandparents, who siblings had all died. Her parents cousins also had died, as they were many years older than her parents, who had been in their late fifties. All of the remaining male heirs of the family, being her brothers, had been killed during the attack, leaving the last remaining heir to be Amity. Usually, the throne would have gone to the next male family member, but there was no one after Amity.
"Now, Amity, we wish for you to stay here, in Camelot." Arthur said, as Gwen grabbed the girl's hand and they lead her towards the throne.
"Oh, Arthur I couldn't. Somehow, I mean to be the Queen of Lexador, when I am only fourteen Summers old. This means I'll have to marry and bare children and be Queen! Oh Arthur, what am I going to do? I am not ready for this! I was never going to become Queen, after all, I had six brothers. I never expected that such a horrible crime would occur and they were all taken from me at once! How am I meant to rule? I never had training! I was only going to be Princess for the rest of my life, and marry some lord or prince." Amity's eyes started to glisten with more tears, as her face went red when her speaking speed up and she was unable to keep consistent breaths.
Gwen reached towards her and Princess Amity accepted the invitation and jumped into her embrace, quickly bursting into tears. Arthur nodded at the knights and guards to leave, as they did. Morgana slowly walked to Merlin's side, as they watched on with concern, standing side-by-side.
Arthur started running his hands through Princess Amity's hair, which was obviously comforting the young girl. "Amity, do you really think that I'd abandon you? I know you were never planning to be Queen, but Gwen and I are here to support you. We can think of something. Trust me, Amity, I am not leaving you. Our fathers were great friends who made pacts to help each other's children if they needed it. They might not be here, but I'm going to follow through with my Father's promise. I swear, I'll protect you. You've always been like my little sister – I've never had a little sister. I was always stuck with Morgana as my mean older one."
"Oi, I'm a brilliant sister, Arthur Pendragon." Morgana interrupted, causing Princess Amity to giggle.
"Ignore her, she's crazy." Arthur whispered, as Princess Amity smiled, before it quickly left her face.
"But what about ruling? What am I meant to do?" she gasped, before jumping forward and clutching Arthur's red tunic. "Oh, please don't marry me off, Arthur! Please!"
"Shh, Amity. Of course, I'd never make you marry someone you didn't love. That'd make me a hypocrite." He peered over the blonde-haired girl's head to sneak a peak at Gwen who was watching them. "I know, Amity, I'm offering you my protection if you wish to stay in Camelot."
"Thank you." Princess Amity whispered in response.
"However, there's more. I think Gwen will agree to this," Arthur pointedly looked at Morgana before looking back at Gwen, who looked confused, before understanding entered her face and she nodded. "Amity, will you be our ward?"
"Like, the King's ward? Like, what Morgana was to your father?" Princess Amity questioned.
"Yes, like what Morgana was, expect to myself and Gwen." Arthur said, before continuing. "You'll live here, eat here and be known as my ward."
"But what about ruling Lexador?" Princess Amity asked, but hope was in her voice as her tears started to dry.
"I'm sure we could find someone to be a representative until you become of age. Then, you can become Queen. Once you are old enough, you may rule."
Princess Amity bit her lip. "You won't make marry someone I don't love? Because my father was going to-"
"No, we won't. So, do you accept?" Arthur asked, as Princess Amity stayed silent for a moment, before nodding. He grinned, as he raised his voice. "Then, I pronounce you, Amity, Princess and future Queen of Lexador, as well as the King's Ward."
Princess Amity smiled and hugged Arthur and Gwen, who appeared pleased with her decision to accept their offer. When Morgana came over to hug the Princess, who gladly allowed it, it allowed Princess Amity to notice the man in the corner of the room who'd been silent. He smiled warmly at her, as her eyes widened and a blush took over her face, before looking away quickly. Her stomach tightened as she turned to talk to Arthur and Gwen, who'd been talking about announcing her newly updated status. Princess Amity smiled as her thoughts turned to her lost parents and brothers. She was the last royal member from Lexador, she was the new King's ward and she was also hopelessly besotted with the dark-haired man in the corner of the room, who she later found out, was called Merlin.
Ok, so that's the prologue - sorry for any spelling mistakes. Just to pre-warn, there is going to be an age difference between the main pairing in case any of you don't want to read it (although I think you'll be able to guess who this pairing is). I hope you enjoyed it! Please review! Also, I was wondering. For the first chapter, do you want there to be a time skip and Amity has been with Arthur for a year or so, or do you want me to start with the very beginning of Amity as Arthur's ward? I'll choose whatever gets as many reviews on it, so please review and I'll try and post again as soon as I know when to set the first chapter during!
Thanks, Emily Grace :)