A/N: Okay, so I got stuck debating whether or not I should be updating my HTTYD fics or if I should just give in and write one of these new ideas that keep bouncing around in my brain. I mean, it's been forever since I updated that NCIS story. I'm so awful. -_-' And yet I have this notebook full of new ideas. Sigh. But I digress. Unfortunately, I just can't get this one out of my head, but I promise that I'll keep up with HTTYD...and maybe NCIS. I hope. Anyway, as much as I love this show, I have a serious love/hate relationship with it.

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Stranger

Camelot was (in Merlin's opinion), somewhat overrated. It's not like he'd seen it during the day so far, but almost every city he'd been to looked alike at night. He had arrived a little too early, so now all he could really do was remain hidden in a tree and wait for at least a few more hours. Thinking back with more than a little amusement, he really had quite enjoyed playing around with those simple-minded guards. It was something that his mistress would've definitely have frowned upon, which made Merlin inwardly cringe just to think about it.

He'd been given orders by the Magic Association Special Forces Unit to come here to Camelot in total secrecy. No one else in his entire unit even knew where he had gone, as his mistress had once again given him another mission in the dead of night. He took very little with him, bringing only his fighting outfit that he was wearing, a cloak, some weapons, and a little food. A sleeping bag would only weigh him down, seeing as he would stop only long enough to eat and nothing more. He'd left about three days ago, making the last time he slept about four or five nights ago. Merlin groaned just thinking about it, really. If he knew that he'd be going on this mission, he wouldn't have gone through all that rigorous training all those days before. A bed seemed really nice right about now. Unfortunately, he had also decided that there was no way he'd make it to this meeting on time and made the fantastic decision to teleport the last leg of his journey. He had always been somewhat of a perfectionist, which made him practically paranoid when it came to being on time. It was even worse when his mistress gave him a mission like this one, because he really didn't fancy whatever consequences he'd face should he fail. He knew that he was about to lose his struggle at staying awake, regardless of what might happen if he missed this meeting. It was getting dark and the guards rarely came this way for some reason, which was probably why she had picked this as the place to meet.

Just as his eyes were beginning to close for a much needed nap, he sensed someone running in his seemed to be three or four people people after them, about ten or fifteen yards away. As this was not a place with much traffic to begin with, he figured he best save the person that was most likely the one he was meeting; else he'd be in a lot of trouble when he got back. Luckily, he still had the advantage of surprise and could hear them coming. Jumping down from the tree, he waited for the lady to pass before pulling two daggers from his cloak and throwing them at the guards. Knowing that there was third assailant, he scanned his surroundings and searched for a shadow or sword. The lady had most foolishly backed herself towards a tree, probably to relax, which was the perfect opening for last person to attack. She was too close for him to throw another dagger, at least initially. As he noticed the last one sneak up on her, he was forced to stun him and hope that she wouldn't move.

"Folge min bebod!"

Luckily, she seemed too shocked to try and move until after he had collected his daggers and checked to make sure things were finished. Adjusting his hood as he got up, he looked at her curiously and hoped that it was her and not some random person that he'd now be forced to kill.

"Are you the Lady Morgana?" he asked, more uncertain than usual. He couldn't fully see her expression, but he had a distinct feeling that she had a scowl on her face. He saw her unconsciously pull her cloak tighter towards herself, which was really an answer in itself, but he needed a true vocal confirmation. Somehow, her reaction reminded him of his mistress, which was odd. Could they possibly be related somehow, even close friends?

"Who wants to know?" she asked, looking more and more like his mistress by the minute. He knew his mistress always had a way of using misdirection as a means of interrogation. He did it himself on occasion, or so he was told. He was hoping she wouldn't ask for such details, for he really didn't know much.

"My mistress sent me, telling me that you knew I was coming. Is that not why you're here at such a time?" he asked, giving her a wrapped scroll. He could only hope that his mistress had indeed sent word ahead, which she usually did. The lady hesitantly took the scroll, opening it and relaxing as she saw her sister's unmistakable writing.

Sister,

As you can see, I have sent you someone from the Association. If you haven't had a chance to witness it yet, I'm quite sure that it won't be long until you do. His name is Merlin, but his code name is Emrys and he is part of the Special Forces Unit. He is quite talented and has a lot more potential, from what I have seen so far. I know that you are new to the magical world, but if you have any questions he is the one to ask. I have trained him personally since he was young and he has gotten to be quite the genius in several fields. Do not let his unassuming and idiotic personality that he sometimes uses fool you. He is quite adept at using his surroundings and adjusting to them as he sees fit, which I'm sure you'll notice as some point. He has indeed been trained to be the best, but even I cannot twist my personality the way he can. On that front, he does not have much knowledge as to the relationship between us and that can only change if you say something. However, he is quite cunning and can decipher even the smallest of clues. You can use him as you see fit, but he is there as a bodyguard for you more than anything else. Tell him what you wish, but you may not dismiss him. Until we next meet.

As she finished the letter, she sighed and thought about what to do with him. How could she even explain this to Uther, let alone justify it? Groaning, she pulled back her hood and looked at the boy...man? He had saved her life once already, but he really didn't seem all that impressive. She did, however, notice for the first time how exhausted he seemed. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, bordering on a possibility of collapse. Where could she even put him? In the hall?

"Okay, when was the last time you actually slept?" she asked, looking at him skeptically as he visibly swayed.

"I am fine, Milady. Does my mistress have any orders I need to know or am I to return straight away now that I have found you?"

"She wants you to stay here, probably at least a good while I suppose. You're to be my bodyguard it would seem."

That was not what he had expected. This was the first time that he was being ordered to just stay in one place and wait for orders. He looked at the Lady Morgana and tried to put together if his mistress was concerned about her as an ally or something more. Be that as it may, he wasn't to let her stray to far from his sight. If tonight was any indication, he'd have plenty of work to do. How was he supposed to get any rest? Did they actually train these knights at the castle or were they just born incompetent? Either way, he wouldn't allow himself to-

"Your name is...Merlin, isn't it?" she asked, interrupting his internal ranting. Nodding slightly, he sighed inwardly. He really hoped that she wasn't looking for some in depth conversation at the moment; he couldn't say that he had the energy for it.

"It is Milady. Did you need something?" Please say no. Please say no.

"Well, I was wondering where you were going to sleep."

"I suppose I was going to sleep in that tree over there, but being your bodyguard now and all-"

"I hope you weren't thinking of sleeping in my chambers." she said, giving him an all too familiar glare. As much as he wanted to ask about his hunch, they say that curiosity killed the cat. Inwardly shaking the thought off, he went for the idiot approach. It usually worked on most people, save his mistress and most of the people he worked with.

"No! Why would you-I mean, that's improper! I could never do something like that."

Morgana, however, wasn't one of those that would fall for this, apparently. Well, she might have, had she not read her sister's letter, which warned her of his ability to do things like this. Morgause had said that she'd see it pretty soon, and so she has. She had to admit that she probably would have fallen for it completely; it was quite flawless. However, this wasn't exactly the time or place for things like this.

"My...you know, she warned me about this ability of yours, the way you like to change personalities and such so easily. You are quite good, I must admit."

Merlin raised an eyebrow, as he listened to what she had said. So she was related to his mistress, but how? She seemed...close to her, almost as familiar as a close friend or family member. But last he had heard, his mistress had no living relatives. He wondered if the Lady even knew herself or if she were merely floundering about in the dark, so to speak. He supposed he could put this information along with everything else he knew so far. He could ask questions and subtly interrogate her as to her relationship, for the sake of curiosity, if nothing else.

"My mistress says many things, I suppose, giving warnings to those she knows; no matter if it be an ally or a friend. I'm sure she's told you many things." he said, cryptically.

He had plans to make her quite paranoid, also, because he was almost sure that she had read about his interrogation methods. It may not be his place as he was merely a warlock within the Association, but it's not like he was outright torturing her...mostly. He was just entertaining himself until she broke and accidentally told him what she was hiding. He figured she'd fight back twice as hard, if she really was some sort of ally or relation to his mistress. He knew from experience that her allies were only the best and strongest. Whoever this Lady Morgana really was, she at least had a strong will, and that would make it all the more challenging. He saw her momentarily stiffen, as she realized exactly what he was doing. She obviously didn't find this nearly as amusing as he did.

I'm sure that will change soon.

"You do realize that you're going to have to take off the hood during the day, else Uther will probably see you as a threat. He is rather…"

"Paranoid? Insecure? Suspicious?" Merlin listed off, determined to keep himself vertical somehow. This conversation was taking way too long. Sleep. He needed to sleep anywhere.

"I suppose he is, but it can't stay on during the day at least. I still need to figure out how to justify you being here to Uther somehow, let alone where I should let you sleep. I'm not to send you away, but you're obviously in no condition to-" Morgana went on, in hopes that the answer would somehow just come to her.

As Merlin's swaying finally became a bigger concern, she cut herself off and went closer; after days of not sleeping and using too much of his magic, he stumbled over a small rock and fell to his knees. Giving a last ditch effort, he used his trembling arms to try and get back to his feet. Being only half conscious and with blurry vision, he only made it halfway before collapsing and scraping his head on a rock on the way down. Morgana wasn't usually a panicky individual, but she had to admit that this was definitely a problem. Her sister had sent her apprentice, who was obviously very skilled. He had gotten rid of those that were after her without even trying, it seemed. That was a problem that she had to deal with. Should she say that Merlin saved her from these renegade guards? It was quite possible they just didn't know who she was. They were dead after all. Who is to know but the two of us, and besides, I'm not the one who killed them. I feel bad dishonoring them and their families this way, but this really is the only way I think. Yes, they were some renegade guards that perhaps didn't recognize me or maybe just didn't care, and Merlin here shockingly came along and rescued me. That part really is true, anyway. But what about why I was out here in the first place? Hmm. It's just because things have been so busy as of late and I wanted some time to myself. The man should be rewarded, and I don't think it's over? Well, I'm sure I'll do it somehow. Now, what should I do with him? She said not to just dismiss him, but he's sleeping and all. I don't know if he'll even wake up if I sent Gaius for him or not. Would he sleep for days or should I wait?

Next chapter: Does she go to Gaius, wait there? Maybe go get Arthur? O_O Does Gwen find her? What does Uther say? When will Merlin wake up? Does Merlin figure out about Morgana/Morgause? Who is his mistress? ( you haven't figured that part out)

Sorry. I'd write more, but the keyboard is jumping around. Oops.

A/N: Well, that was quite a bit longer than I thought it would be. About 2k+? Right? I am so tired. Sorry. I would've made this longer or added another chapter maybe, but my epilepsy meds activate and make my vision all blurry at night and during the morning. I figure I'll try to do this one and my HTTYD series. I seriously need to update NCIS. _