Title: The Stranger

Summary: After a young man is apprehended for sorcery, the beautiful and enigmatic Princess Jennifer arrives in Camelot, to ask for the brother's release

Warning: I think we all know how Merlin ends

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this

I'm taking a lot of liberties with this fic, and probably abusing my power as authoress, but this idea won't go away (I thought of it almost two years ago). Rewatching Merlin and reading Loaded March probably didn't help.

Liberty #1: Let's pretend that Jenny and Vivian look nothing alike whatsoever.
Liberty #2: Let's pretend that Gallifrey is a domain in Ireland (which would be part of Albion). Since there seems to be a running joke of "is that in Ireland?" on the show.
Liberty #3: I do hope that Arthur and Gwen wouldn't punish people just because they're sorcerers. Especially with what happened to Tom. Plus, Arthur may not be the sharpest tool in the shed sometimes, but surely he remembered that Mordred was a Druid, and that Druids practise magic.
Liberty #4: I don't know why, but I like the idea of Jenny staying in Morgana's old chambers. It is where the ward lived, after all.
Liberty #5: I know it's doubtful that Jenny or Merlin would reveal so much about themselves, but just go with it, okay?
Liberty #6: Let's pretend that in this world, regenerative energy can do more than simply heal. That it can become something more ...

Also, much as I love Merthur, Arwen (who I also love to death. Multishipping is great) is canon, and I like the idea of Jenny/Merlin (I mean, their son would be a Time Lord and a Dragon Lord. How cool is that?) So that's what it'll be.

*deep breath* okay, here we go, down the dark and twisting path of a series

Chapter One

It had been a strange day, to say the least – not that those were few and far between in Camelot. A morning ride in the forest had ended with the capture of a young man.

The king and queen – taking with them a handful of knights for their own protection; the battle for Camelot was still fresh in the minds of the people, their safety could not yet be guaranteed – had set out just after breakfast, intending on taking in some fresh air and doing a scout all in one. They had not travelled far when they came across a young man.

He was fantastically dressed, in the guise (if that was what it was) of a nobleman, without a sword, or any visible means of protection himself.

And he had appeared out of thin air.

Literally.

Evidently a sorcerer, he had been apprehended – something he hadn't resisted – and tied onto the back of Gwaine's horse. He had divulged little information, and was sent to the cells to await judgement.

That appeared to be the end of it.

Until a beautiful woman – younger still than the man they had arrested – approached the gates of Camelot, threw back the hood of her cape to reveal long blonde hair, and demanded to see Arthur Pendragon.

She was granted an audience with the king and queen, and a trusted court, without delay.

She curtseyed before them. "My lord. My lady. Ladies and gentlemen of the court. My name is Princess Jennifer of Gallifrey, and the man that sits in your dungeon is my brother, heir to the throne. I have come to ask his release."

"The man is a sorcerer," said Arthur. "According to our laws, the practise of sorcery is forbidden."

The princess nodded, accepting. "The use of light magic is permitted in my kingdom. Not all who use magic mean harm."

"Surely you could assume the throne yourself?" asked Guinevere.

The princess almost grimaced. "I have never been prepared to take my brother's throne from him. Nor would I wish to. I beg that you return my brother to me. That you return my kingdom their prince."

The queen nodded, something wavering in her expression – perhaps she was thinking of her own brother. "Your brother will be granted fair trial, I can assure you of that. In the meantime, you are welcome to stay in Camelot."

"Thank you, my lady. May I visit my brother?"

"Very well," said Arthur. "Merlin."

A young man, who had stood among the court, now stepped forward. "Yes, sire?"

"Take the princess to the dungeons, and then show her to Morgana's old chambers."

"Morgana's?"

"Yes, Merlin. Do you have a better suggestion?"

"No, my lord," he bowed his head slightly, and offered an arm to Jenny. "Princess."

She bobbed her own head, and smiled politely, accepting his arm. They walked in silence, Merlin dropping her arm to take a torch from a bracket on the wall.

Do you have magic?

She started, stopping dead at the sound of Merlin's voice. Yet he hadn't spoken. She relaxed, realising that he had spoken into her mind.

"I'm sorry if I startled you," he said aloud. "It's just … a delicate subject in Camelot, as I'm sure you're aware by now. It usually runs in the family, and if your brother has it …"

"I don't know," she answered honestly. She remembered the data files she'd read before leaving the TARDIS, and glance sideways at the man. "We came here to seek the counsel of the sorcerer … Emrys."

Merlin laughed softly. "You know me by my other name?"

Jenny shook her head. "I've heard whispers of your power, nothing more."

"I'm flattered," he said, bowing. She laughed.

"Well," he continued, "if you could hear my voice in your mind, then you do have magic. Why are you unsure?"

She was silent for a long while, gathering her thoughts. There was something different in the air, yes, but magic?

"I can heal," she said eventually, glancing at him while his gaze was trained ahead. He seemed genuine. Trustworthy. Interested only in finding others like him. "Myself and others. As can the rest of my species."

Jenny winced at the information she had given away, but Merlin positively beamed. "Species?"

"I wasn't supposed to say that," she groaned, contemplating pulling up her hood to hide her face. "You won't say anything?"

Merlin gave a wry smile. "I'm good at keeping secrets. And I trust you'll keep mine, too?"

She nodded.

"What are you?"

"A Time Lord," she replied. "One of the last. We lost our home, and found solace here instead."

"I'm a Dragon Lord," he told her. "The last Dragon Lord. So … you're not a princess?"

She shook her head with a sigh. "I can't let him be executed. It would be disastrous." She shuddered to think how Camelot would react to a regeneration. "But, as I am one of the few of my kind left, I believe I can claim the title of princess, don't you?"

"I wouldn't deny it of you," said Merlin with a smile. "Princess," he added.

"Thank you."

"You are most welcome," said Merlin. He stopped, ensuring that they were alone before he rolled up his sleeve.

"I have a wound," he explained, removing the cloth dressing. "I was wondering if you could …?"

"Surely you could heal yourself?" she asked.

He grimaced. "Gaius – he's my guardian. He doesn't like me to use my magic for … trivial things."

"It can't be easy to hide," said Jenny, sympathising. She closed her eyes, summoning her energy to the surface. When she opened them, she blew softly. Orange-gold energy escaped with her breath, settling on the wound and leaving only smooth skin behind.

Merlin beamed once more, shaking his sleeve over the now-healed wound. "You're very powerful."

She looked away. "I hadn't even been aware of my magic."

"If you had, your brother wouldn't have been captured."

They spent the remained of the journey to the dungeons in silence. Merlin smiled at the shaggy-haired knight who stood guard. "Hey, Gwaine."

"That's 'Sir Gwaine' to you," he said, but there was no bite in his voice.

"Oh of course," said Merlin, smirking. "How remiss of me. Princess, allow me to introduce Sir Gwaine."

Jenny smiled. The two were obviously good friends. "Princess Jennifer. Lovely to meet you. You have imprisoned my brother. I wish for his release, but, since that's impossible at the moment, I will settle for visiting him."

Gwaine continued to smile, bowing to her. "Right this way, your highness."

"I like him," said Jenny.

Merlin grimaced. "Don't. He's insufferable."

"I heard that!"

She laughed until they reached the cell holding her father. He had at least thought to dress time appropriately before leaving the TARDIS – the tweed and bowtie would have attracted even more attention. He sat with his back to the wall, looking positively bored. When he saw Jenny, however, he brightened.

"Brother!" she exclaimed immediately, before he could say anything to the contrary – he looked far too young to be called her father – dropping to her knees outside the cell. She reached for his hands, searching for his mind and speaking into it, as Merlin had done to hers. I've told them that you are a prince; heir to your kingdom.

"They're going to release you," she said aloud, clutching tightly to his hands. "I promise it."

"Thank you," he said, voice soft, finding space between the bars to place a kiss on the top of her head.

"Princess," said Merlin politely, offering a hand to help her up. "You must be tired after your journey."

She nodded, allowing him to lead her from the dungeons, sparing a last look at her father, and a "thank you" to Gwaine.

"Arthur and Gwen are good people," Merlin assured her, as they walked. "But sorcery has not always been kind to them. I cannot guarantee that they will release your brother. What I can guarantee is that I will help him escape, if needs be."

Jenny shook her head. "I cannot ask that of you."

He merely smiled. "Which is why I'm offering."

"He can escape alone, if it comes to it," she said, sure that he had his sonic screwdriver somewhere on his person. He never went without it. "You cannot risk everything to help a stranger."

"I've done it before," was all Merlin said, before they reached the top of a stone staircase. "This is where I leave you. Goodnight, Princess."

"Goodnight, Merlin."

He bowed, and left. Jenny shook her head, hoping she wouldn't awake to find the Doctor escaped and Merlin the one responsible. She opened the door to her chambers, and found a young woman there, lighting a candle. She hastily curtseyed.

"My name is Anna, my lady. I will be your maid."

"Pleased to meet you, Anna," said Jenny, with a smile. "I'm Jenny."

The girl smiled in return, some of the fear disappearing from her brown eyes. She had evidently never been a handmaiden before. "I've made up the bed and left a nightgown for you. I'll return in the morning to help you dress."

"Thank you, Anna. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

With another hasty curtsey, Anna left the room in a blur of dark blonde hair. Jenny smiled softly, taking the candle to the bedside. She changed into the simple cloth nightgown, braided back her hair, and climbed into bed.

She fell asleep before she had the chance to blow the candle out.