In this story Merlin is a girl, and anything before the coming of age ceremony will happen after he finds Merlin.

Disclamer: I do not own Merlin.

Chapter 1: His Maiden

In her woodland forest,

She waits for her king.

Cursed to sleep by her people,

Till he sets her free.

His maiden whom he will protect,

She who will protect him.

These two shall meet,

The Once and Future King,

and his Sorceress Queen.

She to waken from her eternal sleep,

And he to find his maiden love.

He shall come of age,

And she will stir.

A mere hunting trip,

Will become a history of,

Life, Death, and Love.

Arthur had been told this poem by his nursemaid since he was three. However, two years later it was discovered that she was a Druid, and executed. He had always wondered if she had lied to him. However, over the years, the poem faded from memory and became a distant wispier in the back of his mind. And that afternoon Arthur was going to be the Crowned Prince of Camelot.

To calm his nerves he and a few of his knights were going on a hunting trip, into the eastern forest. The Druid ruins were perfect cover when looking for game. As they rode one of Arthurs knights, Sir Kay, called to him.

"Your highness, I spotted some ruins that I have never seen before and I patrolled here this morning."

"Well then lets go have a look eh?" Arthur changer the direction of his horse, and headed on a more northern route.

The ruins seemed to appear among the trees first just a pillar, then eventually Arthur came across arched pillars that had stairs leading to a garden. The garden was beautiful, however when Arthur looked back for his knights they had disappeared. Arthur pulled out his sword and prepared for any kind of attack. When he turned back to the garden, a woman was standing in front of him. She stood tall, as the breeze played with her white gown.

"The prince has finally come. Emrys has waited for you for many centuries."

"Who are you? What have you done with my knights? Who is Emrys?"

"So many questions. I am the keeper of Emrys, my name is Galene. As for your knights they are fine if in a bit of a panic looking for you, but they can not enter here. Now that you are here Emrys is the only one that can lead you out."

"Who is Emrys?"

"Emrys is your future, you will need Emrys to become King."

"Well Emrys can just stay where he is and I can find my own way out. I don't need some sorcerer to make me King!" Arthur turned and started back the way he came. But when he reached the arches he ran into an invisible wall. He turned to see Galene behind him.

Brandishing his sword Arthur turned to Galene. "Release me Witch or I will run you through."

"Young Pendragon, I am as trapped as you until Emrys is awakened neither of us can leave." A pain grew in her eyes showing her distress. "Emrys' magic is the only thing that can break through the barriers that were set by the Druid elders centuries ago."

"Wait Emrys is centuries old! How can he still be alive?"

"A prophecy was made and the Elders found that Emrys had been born far to soon for the world. Therefore on Emrys' 21st birthday, Emrys was put into a deep sleep that can only be broken when the Once and Future King awakens Emrys. That is you Pendragon."

"So physically and mentally Emrys is 21."

Galene nodded. "Yes. If you like I can show you the way to Emrys, so that we can all be free."

Arthur contemplated the choice. 'Stay for eternity, or free a sorcerer.' In the end Arthur chose the later. Arthur turned to Galene, "Lead the way."

As Galene lead Arthur, he began to notice the remains of a city. 'How could all of this have been kept hidden from us for so long?' Arthur continued to look at the ruins of what had obviously been a great city long ago. He spotted a shield that was lying on the ground. It was silver, and in the middle was a golden 8-pointed star of the kingdom of Avalon. He continued forward, the path eventually entered into a large clearing. The sky was tinged golden and red. Arthur guessed that he had another two hours before nightfall.

"Now young Pendragon this is the center of the citadel. It was once the thrown room of The king of Avalon. Now, however, it is the resting place of the almighty Emrys. One more thing to wake Emrys you must truly wish for it or Emrys will sleep until needed. You will have to battle Emrys' protector, and to do that you need Emrys' help for only magic can tame or slay the beast." With that Galene vanished into the trees and Arthur was left alone.

He turned and scanned the the middle of the glade was a dais. On the dais was a glass case, gold lined the seams keeping the case together. As Arthur approached he growl was heard behind him. Arthur, with sword in hand, turned and saw a horrific creature.

The dragon was huge, it reared up and looked at Arthur like he was a deer to be eaten. A booming voice entered Arthur's mind.

'Well young Pendragon what are you waiting for? Wake Emrys, or you may stay in my company forever, but mind you I have not eaten in many years. So choose quickly or I will choose for you.' Arthur slowly backed away from the dragon and towards the dais.

He turned towards the dais. What he saw took his breath away. The most beautiful girl was lying there, she had dark ebony locks that spread to her lower back, her pale skin glowed in the last rays of day. The blue dress complemented her perfectly. He reached down into the casket and stroked her cheek, her skin was soft and smooth. As his hand pulled away her eyelashes fluttered and slowly opened to reveal sapphire blue eyes. Arthur stepped back as the girl sat up.

"Hello," Her voice was like chimes in the breeze. "You must be the Once and Future King. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"And you must be Emrys. Not to be rude but would you please call off your dragon?"

"Of course my King, but if you please call me Merlin." She mad a face. "Emrys is just the name given to me by my people."

"OK Merlin." The girl climbed gracefully off the dais and landed lightly in the grass. Suddenly her legs gave out and she was sprawled out on the ground.

"Woah you alright?"

"Yes i'll be ok I just haven't walked in years... I think."Arthur smiled down at the girl and helped her up.

"Something like that." He chuckled.

"Young Witch it is good to see you again."

"Kilgharrah is that truly you? You have grown last I saw you were my height!"

"Yes it has been some time now you are the little one." Arthur cleared his throat both Merlin and Kilgharrah look at him.

"I'm sorry to disrupt your reunion but my men are probably looking all over for me and as much as I love a good joke I think we should go tell them i'm ok." Merlin smiled.

"Of course, how silly of me. Let me show you the way." Merlin led Arthur to the archway where Arthur could see his men still trying to get past the barrier.

Thanks for reading! I hoped you enjoyed it! Please review, I will try to update as soon as i can!