I do not own Merlin.
A/N Braelyn is a made-up character that has nothing to do with the TV show. Please review and let me know what you think!
I have to get to Camelot, It is my only hope. My family is all dead from disease. I am the only survivor from my village, but I fear I might not live much longer. I'm weak and believe that I have now caught the very disease that took my village.
Braelyn staggered to the great gates of Camelot. Her clothes were tattered and she was just barely managing to muster up the strength to keep moving. It was late into the night and the streets were empty. Her breathing was becoming more ragged and her sight more blurred. She was minutes away from collapsing and no one was around to help. I can't give in now, I must find help. She noticed a flickering light ahead and her heart skipped a beat. The sound of faint voices could be heard near the light. It must be some of the night-watch guards.
"E-excuse me!" She tried to call out but her voice failed her. It came out as only a hoarse whisper.
The light was fading into the darkness as well as the voices. "Wait! Please don't go…" Her voice was too weak and quiet to be heard. She reached her hand out towards them as if somehow that would bring them back. Her eye-lids began to droop, she was beginning to lose consciousness. Her knees gave out and she stumbled to the ground. "Wait…" She whispered as her vision went black.
"What's wrong with her?" Merlin asked Gaius who was dabbing a warm cloth to her forehead.
"It would seem that she has a terrible fever. If left untreated it could turn into something much worse. It's lucky Gwaine found her when he did."
Merlin nodded. "Say what do you think Gwaine was doing out that late last night anyway?"
At that moment Gwaine decided to enter the room. "Let's just focus on the girl, yeah?"
"Can't have been up to any good then, eh Gwaine?" Merlin smirked at him. "Maybe I should tell Arthur."
Gwaine glared at him. "You wouldn't dare."
"Oh I don't know it might just slip out. I'm not very good with secrets…" Merlin said sarcastically. He grinned at Gwaine.
Gwaine made a grab for Merlin but missed as he quickly jumped out of his reach. And then the chase began. Gwaine went racing after Merlin but Merlin was quick on his feet.
"Please do try not to break anything." Gaius said annoyed at the two men's immaturity. Merlin barely managed to dodge Gwain as he made another attempt to grab him. Right then Gwaine had an idea. He stopped running and held up his hands in surrender. "Alright Merlin you win, you win."
Merlin slowed to a stop and turned around to face Gwaine. "Really? You're giving up? Now that's a first, you usually never know when to quit."
"Alright, we get it, don't push your luck. Shake on it?" He stuck his hand out towards Merlin grinning widely.
"Yeah alright." The moment he grasped Gwaine's hand he was pulled straight into a headlock.
Gwaine laughed hysterically still trapping Merlin. "I can't believe you fell for that!"
"Yeah well my mistake for believing a so called friend." Merlin grumbled.
Gwaine pouted down at him. "Aw come on Merlin, don't take it so seriously."
While Gwaine was distracted Merlin elbowed him in the stomach. "Hah! Look who fell for it now?" Gwaine released Merlin and held his newly bruised stomach. "You're gonna pay for that one." Right before Gwaine could jump on Merlin, the girl stirred. Everyone froze and all eyes locked on her sleeping form.
"I think she's coming to her senses." Said Gaius dabbing a fresh cloth to her forehead.
Merlin and Gwaine forgot their squabble and gathered around Gaius and the bed where the young girl was lying. She shifted slightly and her eye-lids fluttered a few times before they fully opened and she stared at the three faces above her. Her eyes glanced from Gaius to Merlin before landing on Gwaine. She gasped and sat up promptly. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her.
"Don't be afraid. What's your name?" Asked Gaius carefully.
"I-It's Braelyn…Where am I?" Her voice came out raspy.
"I'm a physician and this is my home. You can call me Gaius. This here is Merlin and Gwaine."
Gwaine grinned at her. "I'm the one who found you unconscious. What were you doing out there in the middle of the night?"
"I was seeking help. My village was wiped out by disease and I was the only one left. I-I didn't know where else to go." Her eyes had a deep sadness within them.
"Your entire village?" asked Merlin surprised.
She nodded.
"We should bring this up to King Arthur." Said Gaius. "He'll want to hear about this. In the meantime you should rest Braelyn." He smiled kindly at her.
"A-alright." She said hesitantly. She carefully laid back down on the bed.
Gwaine and Merlin both turned around and headed for the door. "Gwaine." Gaius said. Gwaine stopped and turned his head. "Since you found her you should be the one to talk to Arthur. Merlin, you go with him. I'm sure Arthur's waiting for you anyways."
They both nodded their heads and walked out the door, Merlin letting out a long sigh. Gwaine just laughed and gave him a hard pat on the back. "Ow." Merlin whined. "That hurt." Gwaine just laughed harder. "Pay back my friend. You better think twice before elbowing me next time." He grinned at Merlin.
"Remind me again why I like you?" Merlin muttered.
"What was that?" Asked Gwaine turning his head back to look at him.
"Ah n-nothing, nothing." Merlin stuttered nervously.
"That's what I thought." Still grinning, Gwaine just continued walking out into the streets of Camelot.