This story features ArthurxOC and implied MorganaxGwen. Takes place between seasons 1&2, before shit hits the fan in Camelot.

First Merlin fic. Second fic I've ever decided to publish. Be rough. (huehuehue)

XXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Arthur couldn't believe what had just happened. He had beat every single opponent, but what in the hell was this? He felt the thick wooden tip of the lance splinter and shatter against the chest of his armour, and it was almost in slow motion he felt himself falling off of his steed. He could hear the crowd cheering, but it was distant, like he had cotton stuffed in his ears. He felt offended for a second, before he heard them all go silent, and his thick golden locks were free of the iron helmet. Bollocks. It had fallen off.

There was a collective gasp when they all saw their crown prince laying on the ground, his horse at the other end of the court, and his helmet slowly spinning beside him.

It was then he saw his opponent jumping off of his horse. The man seemed startled to say the least, but suddenly he heard laughter. From… his Father?

He stood up as quickly as he could comprehend, but he did notice his servant, and friend Merlin had come to help him up. If he had not been wearing his armour, that strike would have killed him.

He looked at his father with utter shock, but his father payed him no mind. But Arthur could tell that behind that mask of happiness, his father was very, very displeased.

"Welcome! What shall we call the champion of this years' joust?" Uthers' arms were thrown wide, and his smile practically seemed to crack his face.

The knight who had once stood before the king of Camelot, quietly went to one knee, removing his- his? Helmet. Suddenly cascading down the knights back were feet of auburn hair, the color of copper, and it was a wonder as to how it was all contained in the helmet.

"Athena Faebar Glas, Daughter of Eochaid Faebar Glas." The armoured girl said, still on one knee, and pulling her crest out of the small saddle pack on her steed. She stood up and walked to the king, who still hadn't spoken since she pulled her helmet off. He blinked for a second, before unrolling the scroll, and mumbling to himself silently. The crowd was so quiet you could hear the sweat drop off a brow.

There was a quiet, yet collective gasp when Uther dropped to a knee in front of the girl, and it didn't take long for most, if not all to drop with him, just out of confusion. Well…. Almost all.

"What? Father why are you bowing for… For this cheating girl? She's nothing but a lying, schemi-"

"SILENCE!" Uther yelled, standing up and pointing a finger at his son.

"This girl is the High Princess! Daughter of our High King." Uthers' face was turning pink, and understanding finally crossed Arthurs face, when Athena thought that she'd step in.

"Uther. Please stop. For me, please?" Athena gave him her best puppy dog pout, and he couldn't help but smile. "Of course. Let me address my court, first, my lady."

Uther turned to everyone, who had gone still, and lifted his arms yet again, and said in his most jovial voice, "I give you your winner, the High Princess Athena Faebar Glas!" and the crowd went utterly wild, and Athena knew that her opponent would never hear the end of it… Speaking of which.. that was Arthur? Oh Gods have mercy on her heart. He had grown up… nicely.

XXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

"My girl, how long it has been! How old were you when I saw you last? Five, six? It's been a decade and two since then. What brings you here?" Said Uther.

They sat at dinner, Athena, Uther, Morgana, and Arthur. Athena had never met Morgana before, and she must say, she was absolutely charmed. And from the way the woman's maid looked at the Kings' ward, Athena wasn't the only one.

"My father comes on business in a week. They sent a messenger, but I may or may not have payed him off to let me come instead." Arthur and Morgana looked at Athena like she was utterly mad for telling Uther that she had done this, but Uther let out a short bark of laughter, placing a hand on hers and grinning.

"You haven't changed your ways at all, Athena. Still beating the boys at their own games, I see." With those words, he gave a slightly disappointed glance at his son.

"My lord, it's not like Arthur isn't used to being beat by girls…." Morgana said this, and Athena let out a soft laugh, and raised her eyebrows.

"So you've done it too, you've beaten him at things he thinks he's the best at? Tell me Arthur, do you still think you're the best at chess?" Her tone made it obvious that she was joking, but Arthur continued to sulk.

"Oh come on Arthur. Please don't be mad. I'm sorry I beat you! I didn't know it was you! Not that I would have hit any softer. I might have even hit harder. But still, don't be mad!" Athena begged, pushing her lower lip out into a pout. Arthur took no notice, and instead stood up and left.

"Arthu-" Uther was cut off by a hand on his arm, placed there by Athena.

She spoke to him in a soothing tone, and Morgana was shocked, yet pleased that it seemed to calm him down. "Leave him, please. His pride was hurt. Let him fix himself. Please. I'll go talk to him later. In the meanwhile, does Gaius know I'm here? I didn't see him in the crowd today."

"Gaius was in the outlying villages, tending to some illnesses. He should be back by now." Replied Uther, smiling at her and patting her hand softly. "Why don't you go surprise him."

Athena grinned, then stood up, curtsying and walking out the door, before turning around and re-entering.

"The last time I was here, I was scarcely six. Morgana, would you please kindly show me where Gaiuses chambers are?" Her face was bright red, almost the same tone as her hair, and her hands were clasped in front of her chest.

"Of course! Come, Guinevere, let's take her." Said Morgana, smiling slightly and leading the way towards Gaiuses rooms. Morgana and Guinevere would once in a while sneak sly glances at each other, and they didn't seem to be trying to keep it a secret.

"Are what you guys are, acceptable here? If not, you might want to keep the love-filled stares to a minimum." Said Athena, much to the shock and dismay of Gwen and Morgana.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Said they both at the same time. They had all stopped at a door, and Athena placed her hand against the knob, looking them both up and down.

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. I promise." Athena's eyes were sincere, and Morgana let out a relieved sigh.

"Thank you."

Smiling and nodding, she watched the two women, who were most clearly in love, walk away, holding pinkies.

Taking a deep breath, she grinned and pushed on the door, excited to see her favorite person in all of Camelot.