Hello my lovely readers Nightstar here with a new story in my mind. I am a huge Merlin fan and quite frankly I was a bit depressed that Merlin's only love interest died in the episode she appeared in and quite frankly I'm still depressed he had no one as his love interest. (I mean c'mon the poor guy needed someone!). Also after all these years I cannot accept that ending to the series! So here I am making what would be a Merlin/Oc fanfiction. So a bit of background, Edeline de Beauchamps is the princess of Abolin (a kingdom I made up) and her father, Jayden, is the the current king and is friends with Uther, much to Uther's dismay his friend allows magic in his kingdom but knows he can trust him (I'll go into further detail later). Edeline was friends with Arthur and Morgana when she was younger but a certain circumstances happened and she and Arthur were no longer friends. I do not own Merlin, the characters or anything that belonged to the show. The story takes place before Arthur's coronation as crowned prince of Camelot (or rather the first chapters are loosely tied to S1 episode 9 Excalibur) so Edeline will essentially be 2 years younger than Arthur (21) and a year older than Morgana (18). So you guys know the drill please comment and review and I hope you all like it! Also for all those who have read Guiding Light I will still continue it (the newest chapter is still in the works but please stay tuned it will come out real soon!)
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN Merlin (sadly) and I am only responsible for my Oc's
Prolouge:
Edeline de Beauchamps, Princess Of Abolin was heading to Camelot after twelve years since her last visit. It had been twelve years since she had been in Camelot visiting the marketplace, escaping to the library, help the physician Gaius and seen her dear friends Arthur Pendragon and Morgana Le Fay. Ever since that summer, she knew Arthur would never see her the same way again. Ever since she left without defending herself, Arthur had the wrong idea of her and she never dared to go back to Camelot. As she rode on her horse she couldn't help but worry about her next encounter with Arthur and the reaction of the prince after so many years.
"What is the matter child?" King Jayden, Edeline's father, asked with concern written all over his face.
"Father, what if Camelot isn't what I think it was? What if I romanticized it the way I romanticized... him? What if-"
"What if the sky fell and the ocean burned? My dear Edeline, we can't worry about the future all the time and we can't predict it, can we? Everything will be fine my dear," her father stated with the utmost serene tone of his.
"But what if... what if Arthur hasn't forgiven me father?" Edeline muttered barely above a whisper. King Jayden simply smiled at his daughter and then nodded at the thought of the incident those many many years ago.
"It's been twelve years Edeline, Arthur is now a grown man and is a bit more mature. I'm sure he'll understand and he has forgiven you, well there is no time like the present to know, it seems we are now nearing the castle," her father answered. Edeline looked around and then remembered a time when she was small, Arthur and Morgana playing with her and chasing each other near the castle's gates. Going through those gates she remembered the promise they all made that night before Arthur had discovered the truth: "We'll always be friends forever"."Nothing is going to change that Edeline!" "We'll be together forever and always". As she entered the court yard she knew things would never be the same again.
CHAPTER 1: Long Lost Friends
Merlin's P.O.V~
After Arthur made me get up early, draw him a bath, chose his clothes, helped him dress and got him breakfast, I was extremely tired and hungry. I knew Camelot was celebrating the arrival of the nobles of Abolin, apparently very strong and loyal allies to Camelot. I tried to ask Arthur who were the people we were to greet but he simply gave me his scowl and muttered a "you'll see." Arthur dismissed me quickly after seeing me tired and told me to get some breakfast. The prat may be arrogant and a bit insensitive but he was good person... sometimes. As I got my breakfast I asked Gauis about our guest and the reason of their visit.
"Who are they Gauis? Where do they come from and why are they coming here?"
"First of all, Merlin, our guest are King Jayden, his knights, and I suppose Queen Clara. They are from a place called Abolin, a place of cold weather, and creatures that can only be thought out of folklore and myths... it is rumored that they allow the use of magic in their kingdom,"Gauis stated solemnly as he cleared his bowl.
"Really?! That sounds amazing, but Uther-" I was beginning to say but Gauis cut me off.
"That's why they are here, they are here to reaffirm their alliance with Camelot, though Uther may have jurisdiction here, he cannot simply enforce Camelot's law in Abolin; at least that is part of their agreement," Gauis continued as he cleared my bowl. I pondered on a kingdom that allowed magic and the people there, it seemed like paradise and I was considering moving from Camelot to Abolin. All too soon, Arthur stalked into the room, crown and all, and took a book from Gauis's table and began to rigorously search for something. Gauis and I looked at each other and then glanced at Arthur. He was the ideal description of vexation. Arthur's usual calm expression, looked as if he were going into battle against Cenred's army or if someone had hurt Gwen. His lips were in a semi snarl, his eyebrows furrowed in frustration. Oh but it was his eyes that made me a bit scared of the prat. His eyes the color of an ocean during a storm filled with frustration, anger, and hatred? Those piercing blue eyes sent shivers into my soul and made me realize something about the visit did not make Arthur quite content... but how could Arthur hate someone with such rigor that his own eyes betray him. Suddenly, Arthur huffed in frustration, let out a curse, and began flipping even more pages with the same aggression. It was then that I had enough courage to confront him about his search.
"Umm Arthur, what exactly are you searching for?" I asked with a bit of precaution. He seemed to brush the question off as he continued his search.
"UGH! Gauis do you still have some of the Mortaeus flower left?" Arthur asked as he set the book aside and began to search between Gauis's many jars and herbs. I quickly glanced at Gaius and then proceeded to stop Arthur from taking anything that might hurt him.
"Arthur, you are being ridiculous about all of this. You know very well, King Jayden and your father have been long friends since before you were born, and he hasn't seen him more than 7 years-"
"Twelve years to be exact," Arthur intercepted Gauis with utter coldness.
"Then you know how long it has been since he last seen him and how much he misses his friend... Just because of the incident, Arthur, doesn't mean your father will not receive them. It's only for a few days, my boy, and then life will resume as it normally does you'll see," Gaius assured Arthur. Arthur took a deep breath and exhaled reluctantly.
"Then I suppose I can withstand for a few days... Thank you Gauis," Arthur genuinely stated, and then sighed as he heard the bustle outside of Gaius's door. "C'mon Merlin, if I have to suffer through this then you have to too."
"Don't I suffer enough by being your servant?" I jested to him. I then saw him smile a bit and saw my attempt worked.
"Well think of it as another dosage of your suffering, now stop being such a girl and lets get to the courtyard," Arthur briskly walked and I followed close behind him as I said waved to Gauis. As I followed Arthur I had the strangest feeling my destiny was truly about to begin. "Merlin!" I snapped out of it and caught up with Arthur.
Courtyard 10 minutes later...
Arthur was waiting along with Uther, Morgana, and to my surprise Lord Geoffrey was there as well. To my other surprise Morgana and Uther were excited to greet the visitors and even, dare I say it, seemed a bit fidgety and anxious. Arthur, on the other hand, simply looked bored out of his mind and would have rather been somewhere else than there. As soon as I heard the sound of horses' hooves I had to straighten up and observed the visitors with the utmost care. The knights of Abalin resembled the knights of Camelot, they had this sense of duty and fierceness in there expression, but deep down (as I discovered one day with Camelot's Knights) they were quite noble and loyal. They proudly carried the crest of Abalin, a violet tunic with silver trimming and in the middle a silver winged horse (a Pegasus) standing on its hind legs with its' wings stretched out. Their shields too carried the crest gleaming as the lake lit by the moonlight. I then spotted what looked like to be the king. He looked quite young for his age, barely any wrinkles and gray hairs, his hair was shoulder length and wavy. The color of his hair was that of dark chestnut with a few gray hairs dusted on his sides and on top of his head sat his gold jeweled encrusted crown that was quite more extravagant compared to Uther's crown. Adorn on his face were these lavender blue stars that served him as eyes, I had never seen piercing eyes in my life (except for Arthur's eyes but his don't really count), and a subtle forming quite nicely. He had a majestic look but he also had a kind face and the warmest and sincere smile plastered on his face directing himself and his steed (a majestic white horse) towards Uther.
Then my whole life changed as soon as I saw what I thought was the queen. She was, in a word, enchanting. The girl looked no younger than Morgana or Arthur, she was wearing a black dress that showed her figure, her belt was silver with gold showing off her waist and the embroidered of the dress were much simpler than Morgana's but not as simple as Gwen's (since they were silver) her sleeves were black (a forth of the way) and the long part was white. She wore a purple cape that had a hood lined with fur. her hair were golden cascades that fell long (longer than Morgana) and the crown that rested on top was silver circlet with leaf designs and a few swirls around in the center was an amethyst a simple design for a queen. She had the same amethyst eyes as the king but hers were more vibrant and youthful, her nose very refined and royal like and her lips were a blushing rose that contrasted quite a lot with her snowy skin. She was angelic, and never in my life had I envied a person more than the king. She was riding a tan horse it's main was white and on top of it's head sat a white spot that looked oddly like a star. As they approached I almost failed to notice Arthur's fist clenched as he saw the woman... almost.
The kings smiled at each other, and King Jayden hurried and mounted off his horse and helped the young woman off hers just as quickly. Both kings quickly strode towards each other and did something that I have never seen royalty do so openly, hugged each other. They patted each other's backs and so the conversations began.
"Jayden, my old friend! It has been too long!" Uther exclaimed to the other king with a smile I had never seen before.
"Yes, it certainly has been too long Uther! Twelve years and to be honest the years have not been good to you!" Jayden joked. He really does not value his head I thought, as we all knew Uther's ego was ultimately inflated.
"Oh your one to talk! So much to catch up on old friend, but first let me reintroduce you to Lady Morgana le Fay, my ward." Morgana smiled graciously to the king as she curtied and adress him, "Your grace, it is an honor to have you here."
"Ah little Morgana... well you're not so little anymore are you? You have grown into a beautiful woman, my dear. My condolences on your father's passing, he was a good man...Your father would be so proud of you," King Jayden earnestly stated. Morgana smiled, blinked away the tears, and whispered a thank you to the king.
"And this is my son, Arthur," Uther pointed out to Arthur who quite annoyingly put his serious 'I'm the prince of Camelot' face. "We welcome you to Camelot, King Jayden. It is an honor to have you here, sire."
"It is an honor to be here, Prince Arthur. Such an occasion is this to be in the presence of the future king! My, my you've come a long way from being that little boy who used to destroy pillows with wooden swords to a young man about to be crowned prince of Camelot," King Jayden teased as he smiled with pride at Arthur. I had never seen Arthur turned into a deep shade of scarlet ever.
Uther then noticed the young woman who was near her horse looking at King Jayden, and then marching towards the king. Uther looked a bit perplexed with the young woman before him.
"Jayden, this can't be Clara, can't it?" Uther asked as he examined the young woman in front of him. Jayden chuckled as he saw the young woman wide eyed and shocked at the statement.
"No, Uther she is not Clara. Clara passed on a nearly a year ago," sorrow filled his words making it obvious that he loved the queen. The King then cleared his throat and continued on with his intorduction, "this is my daughter, Uther. You remember Edeline, my daughter?"
"Of course! The little winter rose! Well my dear it has been long and you have grown up to be such a beauty... just like your mother. My condolences." Uther stated. And then she spoke filling in my ears with music.
"My lord, thank you for such a compliment. I am honored to attend such an important event, and to be here in Camelot again," she curtsied and then directed her self to Morgana, "Morgana!" she hugged Morgana who in turn hugged her back. It was a touching sight to see these two young women (who I assume were once great friends) reunited after years. "Edeline! It's good to see you again! I thought, I thought you have forgotten about me," Morgana answered as the tears built up.
"Never! Remember, good friends are like stars... you don't always see them-"
"But you know they're always there," Morgana finished as they stopped embracing and laughed. I smiled knowing Morgana was happy but soon my smile disappeared as I saw Arthur's expression. The princess also stopped laughing as soon as she saw Arthur, and really who could blame her. He had a scowl on his face that made him unapproachable and a bit intimidating. The princess, however, approached the prat and addressed him with a smile.
"It is good to see you too, Arthur," she greeted nervously as she was uncertain how to address the prat.
"That's Prince Arthur, princess. I can't say the same however," he stated rather rudely as he stalked off the courtyard.
"Arthur!" both Morgana and Uther excalimed at the retreating prince. I was about to go when Morgana stopped me. "No Merlin, he needs to be alone. In the mean time you can help our guests with their things, if you're not busy that is."
I looked at the princess who looked crestfallen at the prat's reactions, the look on her face was what made me decide and accept my task at hand. Uther had gone off with Jayden and Morgana, the princess and I were left in the courtyard. Before I got to work, Morgana dragged me aside and directed me in front of the princess.
"Edeline, this is Merlin. He's Arthur's servant, and friend (but don't tell him that I told you that). He is also my friend and friend's with my other friend Guinevere. Merlin this is Edeline." Morgana introduced.
"My lady," I bowed and grabbed her hand to kiss it. Edeline blushed at the action, but as soon as my hand and her hand touched I felt a jolt of power surged though me. And then it snapped as she broke away her hand from my grasp.
"There is no need for formalities, Merlin. Please just call me by my name Edeline. Just Edeline. Besides any friend of Morgana's is a friend of mine." Edeline responded as she smiled warmly at me. Just as I was about to comment on the subject, Morgana had instantly dragged Edeline away showing her to her quarters and possibly going to Morgana's room to meet Gwen.
At that moment when I saw her Amethyst eyes and the touch of her hand I knew that my whole life and my destiny was truly about to begin...
