Author's note: This is my first Merlin story!! I am addicted to the show. I do not own Merlin or any of its characters. I simply own my OC and Heideen. Huge thanks to my beta who has been incredibly helpful!!
"I can't believe I have to stand around all day and wait for a prisoner to arrive," Arthur complained to Merlin yet again. "I am crown prince; I have better things to do with my time."
"Such as," Merlin asked with a grin. He and Arthur both knew that there really wasn't anything else he could be doing at this time aside from napping or eating.
"Don't look so smug Merlin." A trumpet sounded announcing the arrival of the caravan from Heideen. Arthur signaled his men to open the gate and waved his 2nd in command over. "See to it that the treasure is taken to my father first for inspection then have it put away. Also make sure that the prisoner is taken straight to the dungeon without delay, understand?"
"Yes, my lord," John replied.
"Shouldn't we stay?" Merlin asked. "Make sure everything is ok with the prisoner?"
"I have to tell my father that they are here, Merlin," Arthur replied with a shake of his head.
Merlin simply shrugged and followed after Arthur.
They were intercepted in the hallway in front of the throne room though.
"Sire," John called as he rushed down the hallway toward them. "I think there might be a problem."
"What's the matter?" Arthur demanded. "Merlin, tell my father I will be back in a moment."
"The prisoner, sire - well it's not what we expected. The men are worried about… you should come see for yourself."
"Where is the prisoner?" Arthur asked. Arthur followed John as he explained the situation.
"We put her in the dungeon as you instructed sire."
"Wait, did you say her?" Arthur asked.
"Yes sire, she is obviously a noble woman and the knights wondered what such a woman's crime could be," John replied as he led the way down the stairs to the dungeon.
"Did she tell you who she is? What she had done?" Arthur asked as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"She would not answer sire. I fear she is gravely ill," John said nervously. "We put her in the first cell."
Arthur took the keys from John and walked toward the cell. Several of his men were gathered around the cell watching the young woman. She sat against the far wall shivering and crying silently in confusion. "What's the problem here?" Arthur demanded. The men stepped out of the way and allowed him to pass. "Back to your duties."
Arthur unlocked the door and stepped into the cell. He studied the girl for a moment before moving closer. "I'm Arthur Pendragon, Crown Prince of Camelot. I won't hurt you."
Arthur knelt in front of the girl and paused. He carefully pushed the hood on her cloak back revealing her wavy red hair, with silver band that wrapped around her head. Arthur gently touched her forehead after noticing how pale she was. She was burning up with fever.
"What is your name?" Arthur asked.
She started to speak but found she couldn't. Her eyes fluttered and Arthur grabbed her shoulders fearing she would hit her head. Arthur quickly picked her up and made his way to the stairs.
"Find Gaius and tell him to come to my chambers. John, you go to my father and tell him there has been a misunderstanding," Arthur ordered. "Someone tell a servant to inform Lady Morgana and Gwen that their services may be required as well."
"As you wish, my lord," Mark said before walking away quickly.
Merlin, who had been waiting at the top of the stairs, stared at the girl and Arthur in shock. "Is that a girl?" he asked.
"No it's a lamb," Arthur snapped. "Of course it's a girl, you idiot. I think there has been a mistake."
"Where are you taking her?" Merlin asked as he held the door open for Arthur.
"I'm taking her to my room; she'll be more comfortable there," Arthur explained.
Merlin studied Arthur for a moment as the prince passed by him. He didn't understand why Arthur was so determined to help this girl, especially one who was sentenced to die. Merlin pushed open the door to Arthur's chambers and stood aside to let him enter.
Arthur quickly crossed to his bed and laid her down. "Should we… I don't know…remove her cloak?"
"Don't touch that girl, Arthur Pendragon," Gaius said as he swept into the room. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the girl. "Arthur, what is going on?"
"I don't know Gaius; I think someone is playing a joke on us, there is no way that girl is a sorceress," Arthur replied.
"You two need to leave so I can tend to her," Gaius said quickly before shooing the boys out of the room.
--
Merlin watched Arthur as he paced back and forth across the hallway. Arthur ran a hand through his hair and glanced at Merlin.
"I know," Arthur said in agitation. "I don't understand it either."
"Understand what?" Merlin asked in confusion.
"I don't understand why I am acting like this," Arthur explained. "I don't even know this girl, she could be anyone and yet…there is something about her."
"What do you mean my lord?" Merlin asked.
Arthur paused in his pacing and stared out the window in front of him. "I could see her expression while she was in the cell; she was terrified Merlin. Once I got to her though and told her who I was," Arthur trailed off unsure of how to explain things.
"She calmed," Merlin guessed.
"Yes she did, it was as though she already knew me. As though she knew that I wouldn't hurt her," Arthur replied.
"Of course you wouldn't hurt her, she is obviously noble," Merlin said quickly. "What was that thing on her head? If you ask me it looked more like a crown than an ordinary headband."
Arthur glanced at Merlin in surprise. "You could be right Merlin, but surely King Hrothgar wouldn't send us a princess to kill," Arthur said in a rush.
"What do you know about Heideen though, sire?" Merlin asked. "Perhaps that is exactly what has happened."
"I don't think she would go willingly to her death, Merlin," Arthur pointed out.
The door to Arthur's chamber opened and Gaius stepped out. He closed the door behind him and shook his head at them. "You two look like expectant fathers out here pacing. I've given her a draught it will bring the fever down and help her rest. Hopefully by tomorrow she will be well enough to explain what is going on."
"Thank you Gaius," Arthur said. He stepped around the old physician and went into the room. Merlin glanced inside to see Arthur sitting in the chair next to the bed.
"It's strange," Gaius murmured.
"What?" Merlin asked turning back to him.
"Arthur's behavior, in all the years I've known him I've never seen him act this way over a girl before," Gaius explained. "Come to think of it I've never seen him act like this ever."
"He's just very concerned about her," Merlin said quickly.
"Yes, I'm sure that's it. Nothing at all to do with the fact that she's beautiful and in need of saving. Nothing at all." Gaius replied.
"What does that mean?" Merlin asked.
"Simply that Arthur like all knights has a hero complex when it comes to beautiful girls," Gaius explained. "Not that I can say I blame him."
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