When Cate Esmira, the only daughter of King Leonard of Cenrod, was born before her twin brother she knew he would one day rule over her but she never imagined it would be at sixteen. King Leonard died in a raid on a camp of bandits. Being the gracious ruler he was the king decided to rid the kingdom of the troublesome bandits. Before him left Cate had a bad feeling that she would never see her father again. As they mounted the horses in preparation Cate said goodbye with tears in her eyes. "Father I don't want you to go. I have a bad feeling about this raid." Cate pleaded with her father.
"I have to run these bandits from the land or the villagers will never be safe. Don't worry about me; Cade will be with me." he said with a smile. Cate was not sure if her brother would be of any use all he wanted was to be king. Cate thought he might try something on this raid but she had no proof. As they rode out the sly smile on Cade's face confirmed that she would never see her father alive again.
The king and the knights made camp that night in a valley an hour south of the bandit camp. Cade that night met with the bandit leader and told them how they were entering the camp. He also told them that the best way to kill the king would be to hide in the wood and shoot at Leonard with arrows. Cade sneaked back to camp with no one knowing he had just sealed his own father's death warrant. The next morning King Leonard and his knights with Cade in the back entered the camp of bandits and saw none then suddenly a barrage of arrows flew at them killing the king and several knights. The rest and Cade ran being out gunned and outnumbered barely making it back to the castle.
"Where is father?" Cate asked when Cade and the few knights left alive entered the courtyard. Cade looked at her with faked sadness "He was killed. It was an ambush; He never had a chance." Cate couldn't breathe. The emotions that hit her were so raw and intense she just burst into sobs and fell to her knees. With the queen having died five years prior the role of ruler fell to Cade, but Cade was not a kind king and soon became a tyrant rather than a protector.
When Cate turned eighteen Cade decided to give her to an old lord that he needed loyalty from. Being an independent woman and wanting to marry for love, Cate and her maid, Mia, Packed everything they could carry and late one night sneaked out of the castle to the stable. They saddled Loryen, a black mare, and Faryen, a white stallion, the only things Cate had left of her father. They rode out the back of the village as fast as the horses could carry them. They kept riding the first night to make the distance between them and Cade larger. They rode mostly in silence but halfway through the second day Mia looked at cate and said "Thank you."
"Why do you thank me?" Cate asked
"Because you could have left me to the mercy of King Cade, but you took me with you. A-an-," Mia stuttered "and I will always be in your debit for that, ma'am."
"Mia, it is I who need to say thank you. You were there for me when my father died and have always been there for me. Thank you."
With that they rode on for a few hour then camped for the night in a cave to keep out of sight of passing riders. Cate couldn't sleep for her mind would not let her stop thinking about what she would do when they reached Camelot. Asking King Arthur for help was as far as her plan went. If Camelot was without mercy, she would be helpless in a fight against so many. On the fifth day only a day's ride from Camelot they noticed that they were being followed by two riders about a day behind them. As they entered Camelot, the riders were only an hour behind. Keeping a close eye on the rear they neared the lower town. Suddenly Cate and Mia were cut off by two of her brother's men. "I know why you were following us." Cate spit out with contempt. "I will not go with you," she added.
"Your brother wants you back to be wed." the blonde rider snarled. A rustling in the bushes alerted them of others in the woods. Two men emerged on foot. The first tall blonde muscular, and obviously in charge dressed like a knight held a sword at the ready. The other was shorter with dark hair and servants apparel. Cate and Mia dismounted and maneuvered where they were facing the four men.
"What is going on here?" The blonde demanded to know.
"We just want to take these ladies back to their kingdom." One of Cade's men sneered as he dismounted not wanting give Cate and Mia a chance to explain the real reason they wanted them.
"I will not go back to marry that old man!" Cate spoke with certainty backing slowly away ready to flee if the need arose. The blonde moved to block Cade's men from getting Cate and Mia. "Explain what you mean by that." He demanded.
"My brother, King Cade of Cenrod, wants me to marry a lord four times my age so he can have his loyalty. I will not go back. I would rather die than enter into that marriage." The two riders moved to take the ladies but the blonde and servant cut them off. "I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot, and I give these women sanctuary in my kingdom. If your king wants them, he can come himself to ask if they would like to come with him, but I doubt they will go." The blonde, King Arthur, stated with complete authority. Hearing that he was a king the riders remounted and said with a sneer, "We will be back with more men and our king." Then rode off with fury.
Arthur turned to Cate and Mia and extended his hand, "As you heard I'm King Arthur and this," pointing at the dark-haired man, "is my manservant, Merlin." Merlin bowed. "Nice to meet you, ladies."
"We would be honored to escort you to the castle so we can have a full conversation." Arthur asked.
Cate smiled "We would like that. I'm Lady Cate and this is my maid, Mia, by the way." Arthur stayed with the women as Merlin got their horses. When he got back, they all mounted and set off to the castle. A little down road Merlin asked, "Why did you come to Camelot?"
"My father didn't want to be a separate kingdom. He wanted to join Camelot because he thought that we were too vulnerable. My father was waiting for Uther's death." Arthur gave her a look as she continued, "King Leonard and King Uther once were good friends but when they feel in love with a woman but your father got the girl mine got the sister putting them on shaky ground. Then when your father outlawed magic, they completely stopped talking or trading."
"Sister?" Arthur asked.
Cate paused and stared for a minute. "You didn't know that your mother and mine were twins?" Arthur shook his head no. "My mother was older than yours. They talked until your mother died but since my mother used magic, she couldn't visit. My mother talked about Camelot and their childhood a lot. She missed her terribly. Wished she could've known you and Morgana. I heard what happened. I'm so sorry she changed so completely." Cate gave a sad smile. "Kinda like my brother became a tyrant."
Arthur looked sad as he said, "I wonder why my father never told me about your family? I always thought my mother was an only child. All this time I had cousins and an aunt and uncle I'll never know."
"You can know me and maybe Cade if he will ever come to his senses and stop his tyrannical ways." Cate stated with emphasis. "My mother told me and my brother about you. She always thought you would be a great king. I'm here hoping she was right. I want my kingdom to be safe. I think under Camelot Cenrod could be a prosperous and thriving kingdom. I was hoping that Cade would come to his senses but that never happened. I think he might have killed my father but I don't know for sure."
Arthur was stunned some people craved power, but he could not fathom killing his family for power. He vowed to himself then and there to help Cate no matter how hard it was. "How did your father die if you don't mind me asking?"
"He went to run some bandits out of the kingdom. They were ambushed. Cade said he didn't stand a chance but I believe that Cade set father up to be killed." Cate said sadly. "He hates going on journeys with father and he was way to happy to go this time. He usually puts up a fight before he goes, but this time he went without complaint." The rest of the ride was quiet. Everyone was caught up in their own thoughts. Merlin and Arthur both vowing to protect these two women to the death. Cate and Mia were just so thankful that they had made it to Camelot alive with little hardship.
They finally made it to the courtyard where the knights and queen met them. Arthur introduced Cate and Mia to them all. "Sir Lancelot, Sir Gwaine, Sir Percival, Sir Elyan, Sir Leon, and Queen Guinevere meet Lady Cate and her maid, Mia. They will be staying for as long as they like. They are now under protection of the King of Camelot. Protect them with your lives." All the knights bowed and the queen embraced Cate as if they were old friends. "I know how tired you must be after your long ride and hard day. Merlin will led you to your rooms. And if you need anything don't hesitate to ask." Merlin led the ladies through the halls of the castle to a set of rooms fit for a king. "This is too much." Cate said "We don't need this we are intruding already."
"No, Arthur insist that you get the best quarters available and since we have no kings here you get them." Merlin said with a smile. "Arthur would like for you too come to dinner with him and Gwen. If you feel able?"
Cate looked at Merlin and thought for a moment. "Why do you call them by their given names not sire or your grace or even king or queen? It's kind of disrespectful isn't it?" Queen Guinevere chose that moment to walk into the room. "Merlin is an old friend from before I was queen and I tell him to call me Gwen because your grace and my queen still feel uncomfortable to me. Merlin is one of mine and Arthur's closest friend. He has been a helpful to the crown on more than one occasion. Does that answer your question?"
Cate looked down for a second. "I'm sorry I just thought…" She couldn't coordinate her thoughts on the subject. "That is fine. It is a little weird for a servant to act as I do to a King or Queen. I see what you mean. No offence taken." Merlin replied with a smile. Queen Guinevere smiled "I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay. I didn't know what you were able to take with you. This is Megan. She will help you with anything you need." As the queen turned to leave she looked back and said, "Merlin will also help with anything you need." Than she was gone. Merlin smiled, "Just ask any guard to find me if the need arises. I will get you for dinner if you want an escort?"
"We would like that. Thank you." With a nod he left to attend to his usual duties. Megan started to help unpack and get cleaned up for dinner. "How long has Merlin been the king's manservant?" Cate asked the maid curious about the odd manservant.
"Always. Merlin saved the king's life when the king was still the prince and has been with him ever since." Megan explained. "He is the best servant, loyal friend, and trustworthy confidant in Camelot. He always helpful when I'm in need and Queen Guin seems to like him. They knew each other before she was queen. When she was Lady Morgana's maid." Megan's smile was full and bright as she thought about Merlin. Cate saw a certain something there. "Megan, do you like him?" Mia asked
"No! I just think a lot of him. I really like Sir Elyan though." Megan finished shyly. "Merlin is too good for a simple maid like me. He desires a beautiful lady like you or even a knight's' daughter but not me. Maybe he will find a maid he loves and loves him back but not me."
Cate just sat there thinking about how a man could be so loved and adored that people thought themselves unworthy of his love. He had seemed kind and compassionate to her and Mia, complete strangers, but worthy of a princess? She had always been good to servants but marrying one was a foreign thought. Cate wanted to marry for love but that love might be for a peasant was a bizarre notion. Only being sixteen when her father died she never was allowed to court; not that she had anyone in mind. But would her father of allowed her to marry a servant? King Arthur did. They seemed to be one of the happies royal couple she had ever seen. Merlin was a handsome man amongst any group. Royal or not. Arthur seemed to trust him fully with anything. What king goes hunting with only his servant? Arthur apparently. Merlin saved his life. That must of made Arthur trust Merlin a good amount. Cate had that trust in Mia. Queen Guinevere seemed to have a kind heart and gracious soul, but a determined mind and lawful queenship. She was a mere servant two years prior. Now a respected ruler, loved wife, and trusted friend. Could Cate find a man like that in some kingdom in the world?
After getting cleaned up and changing into some dresses that Gwen brought them to wear they exited their room to find Merlin waiting for them. "I'm here to escort you to the dining room for dinner." Merlin smiled and gestured to one hall. "This way." He started walking slowly down the hall and they followed.