A bucket fell over Merlin's head as he brushed Arthur's horse in the stables. He pulled the dagger from Gwen's saddle bag and whirled around, flailing aimlessly with the sharp blade. Then he heard a giggle, an all too familiar giggle, from across the stables. He stopped flailing, carefully set the dagger on the ground, and pulled the tight bucket from his head. Just as he had suspected, there, giggling as she leaned against the stable wall, was Merlin's sister.
"Lira!" He exclaimed, taking two long strides over to her before embracing her in a huge hug. She laughed into his chest, glad to be significantly shorter than him for once.
Lira was four years younger than Merlin, technically his half-sister. Lira was the spitting image of her mother, with her dark hair hanging down to her waist and blue eyes that reflected the color of her simple red frock.
Her father spent most of his time off hunting and living in the woods, he would come home for the winter months but would depart soon after the final frost of the year.
"What brings you to Camelot? I thought you and your father were on an expedition in the White Mountains?" He said when they broke apart.
"Father and I fell down a large, steep hill while traveling. I injured only my knee," she pulled up her skirt and showed Merlin the bandage, going from her mid-calf to just above her knee, "but father, he had been badly injured. He's in Ealdor with mum right now, recovering. I was bored and decided to join you, here in the city." She smiled.
"Well, you're welcome to stay with me and Gaius. We can probably find you some work in the castle. You'll love Camelot." He smiled. She pulled him into another hug before he led her to Gaius' quarters.
"Hunith?" Gaius questioned when Merlin returned with Lira. Merlin and Lira laughed and Merlin handed Gaius his glasses.
"Lira? You're the image of your mother!" He laughed and pulled her close. She giggled as she hugged him and they broke apart.
Merlin explained Lira's "move to Camelot plan" and, after making a few jokes about housing all of Hunith's children like they were outlaws, Gaius welcomed her to his home.
"One thing that I'm sure Merlin forgot to mention, his magic is not to be mentioned to anyone." Gaius warned. She nodded seriously and promised not to tell.
"Merlin!" Arthur yelled from the hall. It was only a few moments before he barged into the room.
"Merlin, Gwen and I are going for a ride soon and I need you to finish getting the horses ready-who's this?" He suddenly noticed Lira.
"Arthur, meet my sister, Lira. Lira, this is Arthur, king of Camelot."
Lira's eyes widened and she attempted a curtsy. "Sire."
Arthur smiled lightly "Nice to meet you. I had no idea Merlin had other family." He looked over to Merlin.
"When you visited Ealdor she was traveling with her father. We have different dads, same mum." Merlin explained.
"Hmm. Are you staying long term?" He questioned.
"I will be living with Merlin and Gaius, my Lord." She answered.
"Ah, we could find you some work in the castle. For now Merlin needs to get the horses ready for our ride." Arthur spoke. Gwen entered the room, looking for Arthur, apparently.
"There you are, I was wondering when we were leaving?" she asked.
"As soon as Merlin finished saddling up the horses. This is Lira, his sister. She'll be living in Camelot with Merlin and Gaius." Arthur explained.
"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet Merlin's family. I'm Guinevere, you can call me Gwen." She greeted Lira brightly.
"Pleasure is mine, my lady." Lira tried yet another curtsy.
"Would you like to join us? As an introduction to Camelot?" Gwen asked.
"Oh, my lady, that would be wonderful!" Lira exclaimed.
"Good, I will see you out there." Gwen smiled and left, Arthur trailing behind.
Lira turned to Merlin. "Let's go get the horses ready." He groaned and led her back to the stables.
Merlin set Lira up with a small chestnut horse and they led them out of the stables.
They all mounted their horses and headed for the woods, Lira slightly showing off the riding skill she'd gained while traveling with her father.
"Don't show off as much and pretty much just do as you're told." Merlin whispered to her when she slowed down. She nodded and continued at a steady pace.
They stopped and began to set up a picnic for Gwen and Arthur.
"Shh…" Arthur came through the trees with Gwen, shushing the two siblings.
They could hear the slight rustle of the brush and Lira walked over to her horse, grasping the handle of the slightly dulled old sword Merlin had equipped her with. He hadn't thought she would need it, but alas a group of bandits came screeching through the trees.
"Lira! Gwen! On your horses and get out of here!" Arthur called, pulling his own sword form his belt. Gwen pulled her own sword form her horse's saddle, ignoring Arthur, and Lira decided to do the same.
She had encountered bandits more than a few times before while traveling, and was pretty handy with a sword.
As they fought, the bandits began to run off. There were only about six of them, hardly a match for the four of them.
The man Lira was fighting ran off, and she went to help Gwen, who was facing two men. Arthur and Merlin were preoccupied, fighting their own battles. Lira took on one of the men, and Gwen fought off the other. Gwen's man ran off, and she looked over to Lira. She noticed her limp was growing worse with every blow.
Before Gwen could reach her, the bandit Lira was fighting noticed her limp as well. He kicked her knee, knocking her off balance, and hit her, hard, on the side of the head with the butt of his sword.
He ran off as she fell to the ground, her sword clattering beside her. Merlin, who hadn't realized what was happening, turned to see Gwen lifting Lira's head into her lap. Finished with their battle, Arthur and Merlin ran to them.
"Lira! What happened?!" Merlin screamed.
"The bandit, he kicked her limp and hit her on the side of the head with his swords handle." Gwen explained.
"We have to get her to Gaius." Arthur stated. Merlin picked up the unconscious girl, suddenly looking small as a child in his arms. He slung her carefully over the horse and got on. The three raced back to Camelot.
"She's taken a hard blow, Merlin. But she will be fine." Gaius finished wrapping white cloth around Lira's head.
"Thank you, Gaius. I don't know what I'd do without you." Merlin paced back and forth.
"She needs rest, go put her in your room."
Merlin lifted his sister off the cot and brought her into his room, lying her down on the bed and covering her in a blanket. He left the room and joined Gaius.
"I'm taking her back to Ealdor. It's too dangerous here." He told Gaius.
"I see, she won't be able to travel for a few days. You can depart by the end of the week." Gaius told him.
Gwen came rushing in, a bouquet of flowers in her hands.
"Is she alright? I've been worried sick!" the queen gushed.
"She'll be fine Gwen, she's recovering for now." Gaius told her.
"Here, I brought them as a thank you. That very well could have been me had she not helped." Gen held out the flowers to Merlin.
"Thank you, Gwen. I'm taking Lira back to Ealdor in a few days, it's not safe here for someone as young as her."
"Merlin, I know I can't tell you not to bring her home, but I think her staying here isn't the worst thing. She handled herself very well out there; I think she's stronger than you give her credit for. After all, she is your sister and you deal with Arthur every day" Gwen told him before leaving.
"She's right Merlin. You should give her a chance to live in the city. She is twenty-two; you were merely twenty when I met you." Gaius told him.
"Yes, but I have magic! I'm covered, she isn't. My mind is made; she's going back to Ealdor." Merlin shouted.
"Do I get a say in the matter?" A quiet voice called from Merlin's room. She was standing in the doorway of the room, slightly paler than usual and looking tired.
"Lira, you should be resting." Merlin walked over to her. She backed away.
"Do I get a say in the matter." She said, louder this time.
"No, you'll be safer in Ealdor. We were lucky this time." Merlin said.
"You'd be safer in Ealdor too! But that didn't stop you! You could be executed here; you're the king's servant, Merlin! You're on thinner ice than I am!" she yelled. Merlin rubbed his eyes with his fist and sighed, exasperated.
"You have one month to prove to me that you can handle life in Camelot, we'll find you some work in the morning." He said, defeated.
Lira squealed and ran to her brother, hugging him for what seemed like the millionth time that day.
This was going to be fun.