Introduction
It was dark. Way too dark. It was like the elements had turned against us. That was scary. Even more scary than the thought of bad magic being used in a place like Camelot. Why were we here? I have no idea. I just go where I'm told to, or in some cases, sent. That's the problem with being the youngest, (especially in a big family); you have no choice with a lot of things.
-CRACK-
Jimminy Cricketz! What on earth was that? I bet it was scary. It always is. I bet someone's following me. Someone dark and evil with a sinister laugh: mwahahaha! And a long dark beard and a curly-twirly moustache that they twirl when chasing a victim and I bet they're twirling it now 'coz I'm the next victim. Ooh, I don't want to think about that! -Shuts eyes- 'I'm at home, in my bed and this is all a dream. When I open my eyes I will wake up with the blankets over me and this will have all been a nightmare... What am I thinking? Of course its a nightmare. A nightmare that I'm living!
-SNAP-
Not again! My eyes fly open at the noise and dart from side to side as I frantically search for whoever it is that's out there. Hopefully not some evil super villain with a twirly-wirly moustache and a sinister laugh that goes mwahahaha. Why do I keep not paying attention to where I'm going? Oh right, I'm too scared! I trip and stumble as I wade through a puddle that I'm sure that wasn't there a moment ago. I sigh and roll my eyes, then regret my action as I trip over a root that I would have seen had I have been paying attention. I'm so fed up! To my horror, tears begin to stream down my face and I wipe them away. I can't take this any more! I'm cold, wet, hungry, a complete mess! My stockings are ripped and lie around my ankles, the thread holding them together completely ruined. I hate bushes. I hate brambles. I hate the dark and not knowing where I'm going. My dress is mud stained and ripped along them hem, my cloak no better off. My hood is down and my hair begins to flatten as it starts to rain, drowning my sight in the torrential downpour. It's still dark, maybe even darker than before but I can't tell any more. It all looks the same to me. I hate the dark, I hate the rain and I hate getting wet. I rush on, wallowing in self pity. I'm miserable, thoroughly miserable. I'm about to die and all I can think about is Shimmer, my well... 'blob' as my nephew Gary likes to call her, but she's not a blob. Well she is but that's not the point.
-CRUNCH-
Okay, I hate to admit it but I'm scared out of my wits. There is definitely someone behind me now, and they're gaining. Wait a minuet, was that a... No it couldn't have been, could it? I swear I just heard a horse whinny. Wait, up ahead, I can see a, a light. Yes I'm sure I just saw a light flicker in front. Well, at least I think it's a light. Right, I've gotta keep going. I stumble towards it, not caring if its friend or foe. To be honest, I'd rather die than stay out here in the dark all night, that's how much I hate it. Then, I see a figure, two, three, lots and they're all standing there by the light. Maybe they're stupid, maybe they're not and it's a trick to lure me closer. Well call me a sap; it works. I squint and I can see them more clearly now. All but one are wearing armour and have their swords drawn but they're not aimed at me. Maybe they can't see me or maybe it's another trick. Maybe they're just appearing friendly and defending but really they just want me close enough so they can kill me. I don't care.
I throw myself at their feet and weep from exhaustion. My feet ache and I just want to find a nice warm bed to curl up in and sleep for ages. The guy in front of me sheaths his sword and helps me to my feet, passing me over to the guy next to him on his right-the one who's not wearing armour. You know what, he reminds me of Caeran, my brother, but I don't want to think about that now. Quite frankly, I don't want to think about anything. Instead, I just stand there and cry. The leader (at least I presume he is the leader) turns to his knights (and yes I do know what a knight is, much to my brothers comments about me being a shallow minded girl who doesn't know squat) and says "Take her back to the castle. Make sure she gets cleaned up and has something to eat. Merlin, you're in charge of her. I want half of you men to stay here with me in case any more of them have survived the bandit attack." Wait, survived? Bandits? We weren't attacked by bandits. They were high class men with sharp pointy swords, not rocks and daggers. What on earth is he going on about?
He turned to the man who I'm leaning on and I dismiss these thoughts.
"Keep her safe. Nothing is to happen to her Merlin, okay? She is the daughter of a very powerful ally. We mustn't give them a reason to start a war." How did he know who I was? Wait he knows my father? What on earth? He turned back to his horse, pulled a blanket off it and draped it over my shoulders. "Here. You're safe now. We'll find you're friends soon, I promise. Merlin will take you to the castle and see that you're safe."
I give up. I just have too many questions and I'm far too tired.
Slowly I nod and mumble "thank you", my lips numb from the cold. The man Merlin leads me away slowly and gracefully and I trip after him, trying to muster the little dignity I have left. I look to the east and smile as the world starts to lighten. I was safe and going to be warm.
As the sun begins to rise, I make out the shadowy buildings of my haven: the castle of Camelot.