It was a cold, crisp night…and every breath I took opened my lungs wider. It was time. Albien was soon to be born, and Emris would need me close. They had told me of this day since I was 15 years old, and I was ready to face the man who was destined to be my perfect other half. I closed my eyes knowing I had much to think about tonight. Of course I forgot to open them before slaming into the wooden door of the Inn. "Ow." I muttered, standing back a few steps to rub my head. I was so clumsy.

Swallowing my mistake, I walked through the door and into a very smoky fairly smelly room. Eyes turned on my, and some grudging sneers followed. I lifted my chin and my cloak settled on my shoulders. "I wish to speak with the innkeeper." I announced. A few moments of silence passed, and then a tall young man stood up and staggered over to me; he was handsome, with almost shoulder length swooping brown hair, and a stubbly beard. He was laughing as he approached.

"How may I hic-help you?" he held out his arm as if to guide me to my room. I didn't take it, instead I smirked to myself and kept silent. The man's expression turned puzzled. Another man came up, gently shoving the first out of the way. The first man looked briefly offended, but then started laughing again as he returned to his table.

"Sorry about that," said the second man, "Gawain is always getting in the way." He had red hair and a nice smile.

I smiled and my eyes crinkled, "Perfectly alright," I suppressed a giggle, "Do you know the innkeeper, so I may speak with him?"

The man smiled and nodded, then motioned to a short, stocky man who was conversing with customers sitting at one of the tables. He waddled over to us. I was about a head taller than him, and he had a graying beard, and a balding head. He peered questioningly up at me from under bushy eyebrows.

"Yes?" he grunted.

I tried to smile disarmingly; he man raised one thick eyebrow. As I opened my lips to speak, out of impatience the man said, "Well? Out with it! What do you want?"

I clamped my mouth shut. The man who called him over smirked, "Now Sedwig, be kind, I'm sure this girl…erm, young woman, has had a long journey." He turned to me. I nodded.

"Yes, fine Sir Leon." grumbled the innkeeper as he shuffled off.

I turned to face the man, "Sir Leon? Oh, forgive me! I had no idea I was in the presence of a knight of Camelot!" there was a hint of sarcasm in my voice I hoped he didn't catch. I curtsied modestly.

"Thank you!" slurred Gawain from the table.

"He's a knight too?"

Sir Leon rolled his eyes, "Yes, unfortunately," he smirked "and a rather drunk one at that."

I couldn't help it, I giggled. Then regaining my composure I looked down.

"What is your name, and why have you come to Camelot?" inquired sir Leon, trying to be polite.

"My name is Christina. I came looking for work." Sir Leon motioned for me to sit at their table, and I blushed, but not wanting to be rude, took the offer. He pulled out a chair for me; I sat and Gawain grinned stupidly. There were about 4 others at the table.

"Christina…you were saying?" Sir Leon encouraged me to keep going.

"I am interested in the art of medicine and science, I was hoping to apprentice to a physician."

Sir Leon sat up straighter, "Do you know the court physician, Gaius? I believe he has an open position, we can go check and see right now if you would like."

"At this hour of the night?" I questioned.

"Oh, he will be up…He has a young man he takes care of like a son…His name is Merlin. He's a handful to say the least."

My heart skipped a beat, "He sounds…interesting."

"Just wait till you meet him." Sir Leon chuckled.

Sir Leon led me out of the Inn, and back on to the dark streets off of which I had just come. I pulled my cloak closer around my shoulders, and tugged the hood over my head, my hazel green eyes peering out from underneath its cover. Leon offered me his arm, I rolled my eyes off to the side where he couldn't see, and took it. We walked up the street a ways into a court yard, and off to the right, where Leon led me through an arch and up a spiral stair case. He knocked on the wooden door to the court physician's chambers loudly. "Open; Knights of Camelot!"

There was a stumbling sound from inside and a muffled older man's voice scolded "Watch yourself Merlin!"

Sir Leon knocked again, louder.

"Alright, alright!" came a younger yet still pleasantly deep voice, "No need to be hasty…sheesh!" The door opened to reveal a tousled looking, very tall, dark haired young man with large ears and high set cheek bones. "Leon, I might have known…is Gawain drunk yet again? Well…bring him in…?"his gaze fell on me and he trailed off.

I pushed my hood back and stepped into the light. "My name is Christina." I said and held out my hand.

"Uh…" he looked to the side quickly and wiped his hands off on his trousers. Then he smiled, perking up and shook my hand. As soon as his skin touched mine, the magic within me coursed and sang, my hand was warm within his. I saw his eyes widen. His smile disappeared, and it was replaced by a look of awe…and I knew he felt it too. I smiled and he grinned big, from large ear to large ear. "Nice to meet you!" he laughed.

I nodded, "Likewise."