Hey, I'm CherryAmes15, (as y'all probably know), and this is my first fanficiton ever, with Merlin born as a girl, because seriously, she and Arthur belong together Anyhow, please review, good or bad, but please don't be super mean. Constructive criticism is welcomed though. So without further ado, I present to you, "A Game with Destiny..."

Prologue

Sometimes things just aren't meant to be predicted- one's life of love, power, and most of all- destiny.

This is the story of a young witch and her king, and their irrevocably connected fates. This is a story of magic and of darkness, of loyalty and of betrayal. This is a story of cowardice and of courage, of honor and of shame- but most of all, it is the story of love and kismet; this, is the story of me.

Merlin POV

I was trying to contain the rage inside me by turning in circles in my room while tossing clothes into a large sack using only my mind. The more I tried to calm myself, the angrier I got. Why was my mother sending me away? What would Camelot have in store for me, a young girl of sixteen? I didn't know anybody there, except my supposed Uncle Gaius, who I only met as a really young girl.

"Merlin!"

I whipped around, forgetting that I was using magic to pack, causing the clothes that were folding themselves in midair to drop into a pile on the ground. "Mother, what are you doing in here?"

My mother ignored me- her eyes darted around quickly before she advanced quickly towards me and hissed, "Young lady! What have I said about using magic… that you weren't to use it unless absolutely necessary. To think that someone could have seen you- oh god!" She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"But mother, we are in Ealdor, in Cenred's kingdom. Magic is legal here," I protest.

"Still… we are too close to the borders of Camelot- Uther's men will hound you down if any word slipped out." She put her hands on my shoulders. "And what would I do without you- my only daughter?"

"Oh yes, mother," I moaned, rolling my eyes, "it must be so much safer in Camelot, where magic is illegal and is punishable by death." I let my eyes look straight into hers, "Haven't you signed my death warrant by sending me right under Uther Pendragon's nose?"

She looks away- out the window, as if somebody was there. Then she turned back to me- "I am only sending you there to your Uncle Gaius because I believe he can help you, and because…" her voice trailed off.

"Because of what?" I demanded.

"Because... because I believe it is your destiny." My mother finished.

Here it was again- destiny. It seemed to be the biggest culprit in everything- I've never heard of fate treating anybody nicely. It manipulated people, and the more somebody tried to escape, the more they became entangles in their own fate. Heck! It was always impossible to defeat fate in the long run, and now fate has come for me.

"Merlin?" My mother looked concerned. "I know what you're thinking, and as long as you listen to Gaius and do as you're told..."

I raised an eyebrow. "Mother, you know I never do as I'm told- that's what makes me Merlin." I grin. But all of a sudden a flood of flashbacks flows into my mind, sluices and sluices of memories that I cannot erase- most of them of my best friend Will. He was the only person, other than my mother, who knew about my magic. Who will I have, in Camelot? Who will be there to watch me conjure up animals of smoke? Who will be there to share jokes with me? I cannot imagine anybody. And like that, just like magic, tears began to flow.

My mother looks stricken- I am hurting her more than myself. She bends down and embraces me hard. "Merlin, no matter where you are, no matter what situation you are in, never forget that Will and I, we are both here." She lets her finger rest on my heart. Then she kisses me on my forehead- the way she used to when I was young- I close my eyes so that I can freeze this moment in my mind.

Somebody knocks, breaking the silence. I wipe my eyes hurriedly, and Will comes in without waiting for my mother to answer. He crosses his arms and tilts his chin up when he sees my teary face.

"Hey there Mopey Merlin. You ready?"

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. More tears come out. Seeing this, Will comes over. He places a hand on my shoulder. He sighs, "You know Merlin- it's hurts to see you go, and I'm going to miss you so much, but you know what? It's worse to see you like this- crying and moaning."

I gasped and hit him hard. "I do not moan!" He hits me back, and pretty soon we are engaged in a series of immature slaps. My mother has to pull us apart. "You two," she chuckles, "will just never grow up." She holds out my sack, which she packed, sans magic, which I take. I go to grab my cloak. "Wait," she says, "I have one more thing for you." She retreats to her room. I turn to Will, "what do you think it is?" I ask.

He shrugs, "I dunno. But I have some advice for you."

I roll my eyes. "What could the all powerful Will possibly have to say to me, the humble Merlin?"

He grins. "You know, I've been thinking lately-

I gasp and cover my mouth, "You thought? As in used your brain? Who are you and what have you done with Will?"

He half-smiles but the smile peels away almost as soon as it appeared. "Seriously Merlin- I'm dead serious about this. Camelot is a dangerous place and the people there absolutely hate sorcerers and witches and well, anybody who uses magic-"

"No really? I thought that it was a city full of magic lovers who would all bow down to me and hail me Lady Merlin..." I say, sarcasm dripping off my words.

He ignores me. "Be careful, but no matter what happens, no matter what other people say, always stay true to yourself."

I nod, and we hug, just as my mother comes back with an emerald green cloak in her hand.

It is beautiful- and I can only guess how long it took my mother to complete. She hands it to me, "Merlin, I wanted to give this to you- as a gift, because the journey will be long and I think you deserve a new cloak. The old one is a bit..." She trails off and gestures to my old cloak, which hung from one of the nails in the wall. It's really beyond language's ability to describe that decrepit cloak, if a cloak it can be called. It's about as homogenous as a patched quilt; patches of fabric are spread all over the bottom cloth- the edges are brown and singed, and scraggly bits of string hangs off. There are miscellaneous stains on it that no amount of washing could get off. I'm really glad my mother decided to give me a new cloak.

"Thank you, mother," I begin, but I am cut off.

"Oh my gosh, you need to get going, or you'll never get to Camelot by Wednesday, and Gaius will be so worried!" My mother virtually pushes me out the door. "I love you Merlin, and remember what I said. Oh! And I nearly forgot! The letter!" She stuffs a roll of parchment into my hands. "Don't lose it, and give it to your uncle when you see him."

I was backing out of the door when I remembered Will. "Wait, where's Will?" I didn't need an answer. I saw him almost as soon the question left my mouth. He was sitting against a tree, his face tucked in his knees. I knew he was crying, and I didn't want to make him feel worse, so with one last longing look, I trudged out into the meadows. Camelot, here I come.

Wait! Don't move on! Let me try my hand at hypnosis on you first. Now...Look into my eyes... Yes...Yes...You are feeling warm...calm...and sleepy. You see that box...yes... and you want to type a review into it. Yes...Yes...Your thoughts on my story...Now hit the "post review" button. *snaps her fingers* OK. I hope that worked and you reviewed! Thanks!