Chapter One

The Beginning of the Legend

No young man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. He cannot glimpse his part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, he must live and learn. And so it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot. A boy that will in time, father the legend. His name...Merlin.

Morgana watched cautiously from her window as her guardian and king spoke. His words were practiced and had been spoken many a time and she cared little about them, focusing instead on the man restrained below. Magic was illegal, she knew that but somehow the punishment that awaited the man made her nauseous. She had never been comfortable with the idea of a death penalty and thought that in its own sense that would make the punisher as bad as the prisoner.

As the man was forced onto his knees Morgana looked down, the thought of actually watching the execution was intolerable but she almost felt just as bad ignoring it. then the axe came down and Morgana pulled away from the window, sickened by the noise as well as the deed that had just been performed. Eyes closed she drew in a deep breath, holding it until the anger subsided, though it had left a foul taste in her mouth.

"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos. But with the people's help, magic was driven from the land. So I declare a festival, to celebrate twenty years since the great dragon was captured, and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin!" Uther's words made the anger rise back up her throat and made her clench her jaw tightly. Then from the crowd came a high keen and Morgana's head whipped back around to locate the creator of such a pain filled sound. The wailing began again and Morgana could clearly see the woman as the crowds moved away from her. White haired and dressed in rags, the woman's face was masked by grief and even from her window Morgana swore she could see the pain in her eyes.

"There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic!" the woman cried, her voice raw and emotional, "It is you! With your hatred, and your ignorance! You killed my son." Then her voice dropped to a whisper and Morgana found herself unsettled by the old lady, "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!" At that moment, Uther, who had been still until then, leapt forward and cried,

"Seize her!" Uther's sharp words unfroze Morgana who had been enraptured by the woman's speech. Before the guards could seize her, however, she began to mutter in a language Morgana did not understand. She then disappeared leaving behind a wind that pushed back the crowds around where she had stood.

Blinking, Morgana closed her window and frowned, as much as the woman had deeply disturbed her, she felt some pity for the woman who had lost her son. Maybe there was some truth in her words.

Morgana had made up her mind some time that afternoon that she would in fact, refuse to celebrate the festival alongside the rest of Camelot. And so when she heard footsteps approaching that were clearly not those of her maidservant Gwen, she sighed.

"Morgana."

"Yes?" she replied obediently,

"What is it? Why are you not joining us at the feast?" Morgana felt her face twist into a look of disdain as she replied,

"I just don't think chopping someone's head of is cause for celebration." Uther looked away, "That poor mother…"

"It was simple justice for what he'd done."

"To whom?" Morgana retorted, "He practiced magic, he didn't hurt anyone!"

"You were not around twenty years ago. You have no idea what it was like." Uther's voice was dangerously quiet but Morgana chose to ignore it.

"How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?"

"Until they realise there is no room for magic in my kingdom! You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen." He said more calmly, Morgana fumed at the direct order as Uther began to walk away,

"I told you I want no part in your -"

"I am your guardian!" his voice was raised now and her had turned back to face her,

"I expect you to do as I ask. If you won't show me the respect, at least respect our finest singer."

With that he walked away again and Morgana could not help but call out one last warning,

"You know the more brutal you are the more enemies you'll create!"

The next morning Morgana noticed that Gwen was standing idly at the window,

"What's the matter Gwen? Anything interesting happening?" she said peering out the window behind her maid,

"Oh! My lady, you startled me. As it so happens, there is something happening." Gwen gestured towards the scrawny youth being dragged away by the palace guards,

"My goodness! What on earth could he have done?" Morgana gasped, surely a boy like that couldn't need throwing into the dungeons? Then again, he could have been stealing, he had looked so awfully frail.

"He stood up to Arthur." Gwen sighed, "The prince was bullying his manservant and that boy through a punch at him. It was awfully brave."

"Brave or stupid?" Morgana wondered aloud, "I suppose it is nice to see someone stand up to Arthur for once. It's intriguing…"

Merlin was unsure of what was happening. It was the second time that a voice had called out to him in his mind, echoing and emanating from deep below in the heart of Camelot. He was drawn to it as a moth was to a flame. And so it was without trouble that he navigated his way into the lowest bowels of Camelot, sneaking past the guards and following the voice that still whispered his name. There he came upon a cave. Filled with darkness, and an echoing voice that spoke only one word.

Merlin…

"Where are you?" he called out into the cave, his words clear and filled with more confidence than he felt.

As soon as he said it a great gust of wind pushed at him and the sound of wings filled the air as a mighty dragon lowered itself onto an outcrop of rock, not too far from the cave entrance. Merlin could practically feel that magic radiating off of it. The strength of it cause Merlin to wonder how on earth he had managed to go this long without standing face to face with the beast.

"I am here." The dragon spoke, voice deep and wise. It looked at him, eyes piercing every layer of Merlin's being, "How small you are, for such a great destiny."

"Why? What do you mean? What destiny?" Merlin breathed,

"Your gift Merlin, was given to you for a reason," the dragon's words gave Merlin hope, more hope than he had felt in all his life, in all the years he had spent hiding his magic in Ealdor.

"So there is a reason." The dragon chuckled,

"Arthur is the once and future king who will unite the land of Albion."

"Right…"

"But he faces many threats. From friend and foe alike."

"I don't see what this has to do with me." Merlin blurted, his irritation at the royal prat obvious in his tone.

"Everything. Without you Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion."

"No." Merlin shook his head, "no, you've got this wrong," the idea that it was his destiny to serve Arthur, the arrogant spoiled son of a… with his good looks and fortune and terrible attitude. It was too much for Merlin to bear.

"There is no right or wrong!" the dragon said incredulously, "only what is, and what isn't."

"No I'm serious! If anyone wants to go and kill him they can go ahead. In fact I'll give them a hand." Merlin exclaimed, but the dragon just laughed in a way that was almost a giggle.

"None of us can choose our destiny Merlin. And none of us can escape it."

"No, no way. There must be another Arthur because this one's an idiot."

"Perhaps it's your destiny to change that." And with those words the dragon spread its wings began to fly away. Leaving Merlin to call out for it to answer his questions.

By the time news of the scrawny boy reached her ears again, Morgana was already preoccupied with preparations for the banquet. She had long accepted that she could not avoid the duty and was deciding what to wear. Or more importantly, who would be taking her. As Gwen re-entered the room she began to speak,

"You know, I've been thinking about Arthur. I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole." She chuckled, walking behind the screen, "Pass me that dress, will you Gwen? I mean, the man's a total jouster. Just because I'm the king's ward doesn't mean I have to accompany him to the feast. Does it?"

Gwen was quiet which was decidedly odd; she was use to her maid's opinions. "Well does it?" she asked again, Gwen let out a sound which Morgana took as a no.

"If he wants me to go then he should invite me. But he hasn't, so do you know what that means?" Morgana asked, Gwen let out another noise, but further away, perhaps she was preoccupied? "Where are you?" She asked, looking over the top of the screen. Gwen was holding a dress up in the middle of the room, presumably folding it.r

"Here."

"It means I'm going by myself. I need some help with this fastening?" she was concerned again when Gwen didn't reply, "Gwen?"

"I'm here." Gwen called back, heading over and helping her with the fastening.

"So, it's whether I wear this little tease. Or give them a night they'll really remember." Gwen let out a chuckle.

"Dresses aside my lady, I think you just scared poor Merlin half to death!"

"Merlin?"

"The boy I was telling you about earlier. I think he came in to give you your sleeping draught and you mistook him for me!" Morgana put her hands to cover her face,

"Oh goodness! I should have known it wasn't you! That explains a lot. It's quite odd. Merlin keeps popping up… I wonder if I will see more of him…"

As Uther welcomed the Lady Helen, Morgana sat in anticipation. She had to admit that hearing the most esteemed singer in the kingdom excited her greatly. And Lady Helen was certainly a vision to behold, standing tall at the top of the banquet hall. As Lady Helen began to sing Morgana found herself enchanted by the music. It was powerful and seemed to relax her completely…

The next thing Morgana knew she was lifting her head off of the table. Quickly regaining her surroundings she saw the change in the room around her. Everything was covered in cobwebs and the chandelier which had one been hanging from the ceiling was now pressed on top of an old woman who was wearing Lady Helen's dress. Morgana recognise the woman as the mother in the town square from days earlier. The woman who had been seemingly dead reared up suddenly and launched the knife she was holding at Arthur.

Just as suddenly however, Merlin appeared Grabbing hold of Arthur and pulling him out the way. There was something wrong about that in Morgana's eyes. Something very wrong indeed. She had seen where Merlin had been standing, there was no possible way he could have made it to Arthur or time. Still, she was grateful and she stared at the boy in wonder.

"You saved my boy's life." Uther said, Morgana could tell he too was in shock, "a debt must be repaid."

"I… well -" Merlin stuttered,

"No don't be so modest, you must be rewarded."

"No honestly, you don't have to your highness."

"No, absolutely! This merits something quite special."

"Well…"

"You shall be awarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant."

"Father!" Arthur cried, Morgana chuckled, what would normally be a great honour seemed to be displeasing to both Arthur and Merlin, though she felt more pity for Merlin in this case. Arthur went through his manservants quickly. Although, Morgana was beginning to see there was something quite special about Merlin. Perhaps, the combination of Arthur and Merlin could be the start of something…well, amazing.