This story will be going through all the major episodes of the series of Merlin (maybe more).
I know I have an Avengers story waiting but this story has my interest at the moment. I try to update once a week but this will obviously take me longer because I have to re watch episodes to get dialogue and such forth right.
Anyway enjoy
Vex
"Oh my lady, I did not expect you to be up so early." Edith said as she walked into the princesses' room.
"I could not sleep." Camilla told her truthfully as she moved from the ledge she had been sitting on, staring out into Camelot below. She gave her servant a small smile and a quick thank you as she took her seat at her table for breakfast.
"Why ever not my lady?" Edith asked as she began to make Camilla's bed.
"Thoughts are all, unlike my brother I cannot rely on strength to win battles hence why I find my brain constantly cluttered with needless thoughts about the future of the kingdom." Camilla said though not putting much effort in her words as she focused more on the food in front of her.
"They are not needless, your brother will need all the help he can get when he is king." Edith said causing a small laugh and smile to come from Camilla. "And I have seen you with a sword, you do not fare bad princess."
"I was only taught that to defend myself nothing more." Camilla said before finishing the rest of her meal in silence.
The silence was comfortable between the two, a relationship like theirs always was. Camilla's mother had died when she was young and Edith has been in charge of the young princess ever since. She was her mother in all sense of the word and was who Camilla turned to in a time of need.
"Camilla please do not make me watch this ghastly beheading by myself." Morgana told Camilla as she stormed in to her room which often happened. "Good morning Edith."
"Good morning my lady" Edith replied before taking Camilla's dirty laundry away leaving the two girls alone in the room.
"Morgana you know I enjoy these as much as you do." Camilla reminded her as she stood up to go pick her dress for the day.
"I have never understood why Uther despises magic so much?" Morgana asked exasperated sitting down in the chair Camilla occupied moments ago. Camilla did not respond and instead picked a dark green dress and proceeded behind the screen to change. "This poor man has done nothing to harm Camelot."
"But we don't know what he was planning to do." Camilla argued back before appearing back round the screen to face her. "All we do know is he practiced magic which is enough by the laws of Camelot to be sentenced to death."
"For the most part you and Uther disagree except on magic. Both of you share the same views." Morgana commented.
"I share his pain." Camilla said simply. Morgana understanding Camilla did not want to talk more just nodded her head. Though they were not related by blood the two girls were as close as any sisters.
The sound of the drum echoed though the citadel and both knew it was time.
Turning to the window the two stood side by side watching the man be dragged onto the podium.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all." Camilla's father's voice boomed across the courtyard. "This man, Thomas James Collins, is judged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery there is but one sentence I can pass."
Her father lifted his hand in the air before bringing it back down quickly. Camilla can see Morgana's head turn into her body from the corner of eye to avoid the execution while Camilla on the other hand, has her eyes fixed to the now lifeless body.
"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery." Typical her father would announce the celebration at a time like this. "Let the celebrations begin."
No one seemed entirely sure what to do but before they could do anything, a loud wailing was heard in the crowd. The throng of people parted and there stood woman too old to be able to move.
"There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic, it is you!" The old woman pointed straight at Uther. "With your hatred and your ignorance, you killed my son! But I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son."
Arthur!
That was all Camilla thought before she rushed off to find her brother.
"Camilla where are you-" She did not hear the rest of Morgana's sentence as Camilla had left the room. She was being over anxious for no reason but there was just something about that old woman that unnerved her. She had to see Arthur, make sure he was alright.
"Arthur?" Camilla called out as she burst into his room. Unsurprisingly she found him asleep in his bed still yet to have awoken for the day but Camilla seemed to have done that.
"Camilla what do you want?" He asked lazily with half his face still in his pillow.
"Nothing, nothing at all." Camilla said smiling reassured he was alright. At this Arthur looked up at her giving her a strange look. His blonde hair, the same colour as her own, stuck up in weird angles that Camilla had no idea how he got it to be that way.
"Are you sure?" He asked slowly.
"Positive." She smiled at him before leaving his room and him with some confused thoughts. He decided he would act on them and check up on his sister later but for now sleep seemed like the better option.
"A bit like you then." Arthur laughed along with the other knights as he insulted his servant. Camilla just sat there shaking her head at his immature behaviour. She was watching the knights' practice from a window in the castle while reading one of her favourite books. If good pay wasn't so rare she would wonder why Morris put up with Arthur's arrogance.
"I'll put the target on the other end, shall I, Sir?" Morris picked up the heavy target and started to walk with it to the other side of the training ground. Camilla can see though Arthur lean into one of his knights before throwing a knife at poor Morris. "Hey! Hang on!"
"Don't stop." Arthur commanded.
"Here?"
"I told you to keep moving!" Arthur shouted before throwing another dagger. "Come on; run, do you want some moving target practice?"
Morris couldn't take anymore as he dropped the target and it rolled to the feet of a complete stranger.
Camilla looked at the stranger and realised she had never seen this boy before. His raven black hair glistened in the sunlight while his slightly too big ears, seemed to just fit his face. He looked...well he looked...well she couldn't describe it but she actually liked the overall effect of his face. Strange she thought.
"Hey come on that's enough." The stranger said. Oh boy this should be interesting Camilla thought, all thoughts of reading the book gone from her mind.
"What?" Arthur asked unbelieving a mere peasant was talking to him.
"You've had your fun, my friend." This poor fool Camilla thought.
"Do I know you?" Arthur asked next.
"Er, I'm Merlin. " Strange name Camilla thought. Merlin held out his hand for Arthur to shake which of course her brother did not.
"So I don't know you." Arthur summarised.
"No."
"Yet you called me "friend.""
"That was my mistake."
"Yes, I think so."
"Yeah. I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Camilla found herself laughing, this boy had been in the presence of her brother for less than 5 minutes and had already summed him exactly right. Merlin began to walk away before her brother called him back.
"Or I one who could be so stupid." At this of course the knights laugh though Camilla hardly found it funny. "Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"
"No."
"Would you like me to help you?"
"I wouldn't if I were you." Merlin threatened.
"Why? What are you going to do to me?" Arthur chuckled not believing Merlin to be a threat.
"You have no idea."
"Be my guest." Arthur gestured with open arms." Come on, come on, come oooooon."
Merlin finally having enough, goes to swing but quick as a whip her brother has his hand pinned behind his back.
"I'll have you thrown in jail for that."
"What, who do you think you are? The King?" Merlin asked, the poor boy really had no clue.
"No. I'm his son, Arthur."
"You know at first I thought you were stupid." Camilla said facing the bars of the cell while Merlin, upon hearing a voice, rushed to stand up before facing her. "Then I thought you were brave before finally realising you were just uninformed."
"Yeh might have been useful to know Arthur was the King's son." Merlin huffed while nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
"Here I brought you some water." Camilla passed a small cup though the bars which Merlin eagerly gulped down. "I know they don't like to waste resources on the visitors of these fine cells".
"Thank you."
"No thank you, Arthur needed to be told, he may not listen but at least he was told." Camilla said with a small smile. "He is an ass and the worse type which is he does not know it and think all love him though both you and I know the truth. He is rude, arrogant-
"Pompous" Merlin chimed in with.
"And my brother." At that Merlin froze realising he could have just earned himself longer in jail. Camilla kept a straight face for a few more seconds before bursting into laughter. "Sorry your face then."
"So he's not actually your brother?" Merlin asked.
"No he is but I agree with you and all you say." Camilla smiled at him which he returned with a nervous smile of his own. "Your Gauis' new assistant aren't you?"
"I am."
"Thought so, he said he had acquired one and I had not seen you before in Camelot."
"You surely cannot know everyone in Camelot." Merlin scoffed.
"All in the citadel and many in the lower town. Unlike Arthur I wish to know the people I may day govern despite how unlikely it is. Now if you'll excuse me I must be going, my father wishes for me to join him in the celebrations but do not worry I believe Gaius has bargained for your release."
"My lady." Merlin swallowed before then bowing awkwardly.
"Merlin like this." Camilla showed him how to bow properly, he really hadn't been near nobility before. "Until the next time our paths cross."
And with that she walked back upstairs to join her father for the feast.
"Arthur father has asked me to come remind you to attend the feast tonight as you missed it the other day. Lady Helen will be singing for us." Camilla said as she walked into the room. Arthur quickly swirled around so she could not see his back as he stood topless but Camilla had known Arthur all her life and knew when he was hiding something from her. "What have you done now?"
"Nothing." Arthur shrugged her off.
"Then you will not mind showing me your back." Arthur, with reluctance showed her his back, on it lay cut from a fall of some kind. "Why have you not been to Gaius about this?"
"I do not need his help." Arthur shrugged.
"Sit down let me look at it." Arthur did as he was told while Camilla gets the small medical box she always keeps in Arthur's room in case he ever need medical assistance without time to get Gaius. She used his water and began to clean the wounds before she can wrap it. Arthur winced a few times but otherwise remained quiet. "This doesn't have anything to do with the fact Merlin is staying with Gaius?"
"Who?"
"Arthur don't act stupid, you may do to your knights but anyone who impresses you, you remember their name and face."
"He did not impress me." Arthur said.
"But you remember him and if the rumours are true of yesterday then this cut is thanks to him."
"A minor injury nothing a knight of Camelot need worry about."
"It could have got infected."
"And if it did then I would have seen Gaius." Arthur explained as Camilla finished. He turned in his chair so he was facing. "Camilla you are the younger sibling, I should be worrying over you not the other way around. We may not share the same mother but you are still my blood."
"I hate when you do that." Camilla whispered.
"Do what?" Arthur feigned innocence.
"Play the older brother card." Arthur just smiled at her causing her to smile back. "Remember the feast." Camilla reminded him as she walked out the door.
"Thank you my lord." Camilla gave a small curtsey to the knight in front of her hoping for a way out of the conversation. Her saviour came in the form of Morgana who looked stunning as always. "If you'll excuse me."
As she walked to her brother and Morgana she saw Merlin stood watching the King's ward. Like many men in the room he was fascinated by her beauty however he did look up catching her eye. Practising what she had shown him, he bowed perfectly causing her to smile and bow her head back.
"What are you smiling for? I thought you hated Sir Luke." Arthur asked curious when she finally reached the pair.
"She does that is the smile for another boy." Morgana said causing a deep shade of red to colour Camilla's cheeks.
"What boy?" Arthur asked chocking on his drink.
"No one, Morgana is being childish." Morgana only smiled at her but luckily she was saved from awkward questions from Arthur, by the sound of the horns signalling her father's entrance. The three of them take their seats at the head of the table as Camilla and Arthur's father come to stand in front of it.
"We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity." Her father told the crowd. "It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora."
The lady began to sing and her voice was truly beautiful however Camilla found herself becoming more and more tired by the minute. Soon she couldn't help but close her eyes and just...relax.
A loud clatter woke Camilla from her sleep and she opened her eyes to find herself covered in cobwebs. On the floor lay the dying old woman from the execution several days ago with a dagger close by. As people began to wake up though the woman spured back into life for a few moments throwing the dagger straight towards Arthur.
Time seemed to slow down as the dagger moved straight towards her brother and there was nothing Camilla could do, as if she was still asleep.
Suddenly Arthur is gone and the dagger sinks into the back of his chair. Someone managed to pull him out of the way in time but...
Merlin and Arthur stand up staring at each other not believing what just happened.
"You saved my boy's life." Uther said as he walked over to the pair. "A debt must be repaid."
"Oh, well..." Merlin's nervous smile appeared back on his face.
"Don't be so modest." This was not like her father. "You shall be rewarded."
"No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness."
"No, absolutely. This merits something quite special." Uther was being quite persistent.
"Well..."
"You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant." Uther announced.
Camilla couldn't help but laugh at the look on both the boys faces as she clapped the two.
"Father!" Arthur called after the King.
Camilla caught Merlin's eye again and this time she inclined her head at him first with a smile which he replied with a smile of his own.