This is very loosely based on the original legend of Arthur though it may not pan out the way you expect. I'd really like to know what everyone thinks so please review. Constructive criticism is welcome but please no flamers. Thanks and enjoy. x


Chapter 1

Merlin was bored. Arthur was sitting in while his father listened to the peasant's petitions. Arthur had decided that if he had to suffer, then so did Merlin. He'd been stood at the back attending Arthur for hours, listening to peasant after peasant's request. It always seemed to boil down to the same things; money, land or women and Merlin's feet were starting to ache. Although, on reflection, this was a welcome break from Arthur and Gaius's tasks. His work never seemed to be done and no matter how hard he tried there was always something wrong with it. Sometimes Merlin just wanted to scream, but he knew he that he had to help Arthur as he was incapable of looking after himself.

Merlin was just about to see if he could have a nap standing up when he heard a commotion in the hallway. The whole room looked at the doors bemused, wondering what was going on. They didn't have to wonder for long as the doors burst open and a girl rushed in. She was very short, however Merlin thought she must be about his and Arthur's age despite her height. Her long black hair fell down almost to her waist and her porcelain skin glittered in the sunlight. Merlin thought she looked like an angel regardless of her flustered state.

She scanned the room frantically, clearly searching for someone. When her eyes reached the top of the room where the two Pendragons had risen out of their chairs, about to investigate the commotion, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Arthur!" She cried, relieved, a small smile appearing on her face.

Merlin tore his eyes away from the girl and looked over at his master. His look of shock was almost comical, but Merlin knew him well enough by now to spot the flash of recognition in his eyes.

"Isabelle?" Arthur asked bemused.

"Oh thank God." She whispered gladly.

Ignoring everyone else the girl ran across the room and threw herself into Arthur's arms. He looked startled but wrapped his arms around her comfortingly. Merlin watched him stroke her hair as she sobbed, trembling, into his shoulder. Arthur frowned down at the girl in his arms. He didn't know what she was doing here. Last thing he'd heard she was back home with her family organising a tournament. He could tell something was wrong as she was clearly distraught, but a part of him was glad she was here, he hadn't seen her in a long time and could do with some excitement.

Merlin was confused. He didn't know who this girl was but Arthur clearly did. Uther, who was stood next to the embracing couple, didn't seem too concerned that a strange girl had just interrupted his meeting. If anything he looked worried for her which surprised Merlin. Uther never seemed to care about anyone other than himself, Arthur and Morgana; and sometimes he didn't show that very well.

Gwen had moved over to Merlin and was watching the couple with a hurt look in her eyes. Merlin smiled to himself. He knew how Gwen felt for Arthur, though she would never admit it, and he also knew that Arthur felt the same for Gwen. Looking at him with this girl, however you wouldn't know it.

"Who is that?" Gwen asked Merlin her eyes never leaving the couple.

"I haven't got a clue. Although Arthur seems to know her quite well." Merlin said with a hint of a smile.

Gwen shot him a nasty look then sighed.

"Well she's defiantly a noble."

"How do you know that? She could just be some peasant." Merlin said trying to comfort her, however not really believing it himself.

"Her dress is too luxurious for her to be a peasant. I spend all day around Morgana's; I know what I'm talking about."

She sighed sadly. It seems Arthur has found someone of his own class, she thought miserably. She hadn't really expected anything else as it was clear that despite their kiss, he didn't care for her the way she did him.

Arthur was holding the shaking girl tightly; stroking her hair and whispering comforting words in her ear trying to try and calm her down. Eventually she stopped shaking and her sobs died away. She drew back from Arthur who inspected her face, worried.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

She nodded silently, feeling that she would end up crying again if she spoke. She turned to Uther preparing to explain everything to him, and face his anger at her interruption. Instead he opened his arms and pulled her into a swift embrace.

"My dear, are you okay?" He asked as they held each other.

She pulled back and looked up at the man who had been like a second father to her for as long as she could remember. He looked older somehow as if stress had aged him. She wondered how his relationship with Arthur was as she'd seen them become more and more strained as Arthur grew older and gained opinions of his own.

"Yes thank you." She smiled at him, "Sorry I didn't mean to break down on you like that."

"It's okay." Uther said being strangely accommodating, "Now Isabelle, tell me what happened."

Isabelle glanced at Arthur, who smiled at her encouragingly. She looked back at Uther, took a deep breath and began her tale.

"It was terrible. We were celebrating the start of our jousting tournament. I was sat outside with father and Tristan watching the parades when they attacked. These beasts came out of nowhere. We couldn't stop them, our weapons just bounced off them. They destroyed everything in sight." Her voice wavered but she continued shakily, "They killed father. He told me to go; there was nothing I could do. I managed to get my brother out, but father wasn't quick enough. I took Tristan and we hid in the forest, I didn't know what else to do. But it was so strange. We watched the creatures rampaging everywhere, then suddenly they just disappeared. We're repairing things as best we can but there's so much damage. Uncle is acting as regent for the moment. I left Tristan with him and came here."

Having finished her speech she fell silent. Tears had leaked down her face again while she was talking and she brushed them away angrily, waiting for Uther's response.

Uther inspected the fragile girl in front of him. He didn't doubt a word she had said but something was worrying him, something he didn't really want to know the answer to.

"Was it magic?" He asked slowly, bracing himself for the answer.

Isabelle didn't say anything, just nodded fearfully. Uther sighed resigned. He looked at Isabelle's anxious expression and knew that wasn't the end of her story. He had known her since she was a baby and he knew when she wasn't telling him something.

"That's not all is it?" He asked her kindly.

She looked up at him surprised and a small smile appeared on her face.

"No."

She sighed sadly and tears appeared in her eyes again.

"There was a message on the wall inside the castle but the castle hadn't been breached."

Isabelle's voice caught in her throat at the memory. The words glistening on the wall in blood were burned into her mind. Those terrible words that had changed her life.

"Isabelle?"

She looked up at Uther knowing the question that was coming next and dreading his reaction to her answer.

"What did it say Isabelle?" Arthur prompted softly.

She looked up at him with unseeing eyes, the words burned in front of her vision. Her eyes clouded over as she recited them mechanically in a daze, reliving the events of that day.

"Isabelle du Fouwe you are a traitor to your kind. This is all because of you."

Silence followed her words then the room broke into uproar. Everyone seemed to be voicing their opinions at once. Merlin looked round at the reactions of the room. Most people looked shocked by her words and some looked a little scared. Uther's unreadable mask had slipped and he looked shocked and angry. However that was nothing compared to the look of anger on Arthur's face, although their anger didn't seemed to be directed at Isabelle. Merlin looked back at her and once again felt the desire to wrap her in his arms and comfort her. He was dragged out of his fantasy by Gwen whispering in his ear.

"...And what does that even mean? It's so weird. Although I knew there was something fishy about her."

Merlin wasn't really paying attention to her, his eyes still fixed on Isabelle. Gwen opened her mouth to speak again but Merlin hushed her, intent on the noble's conversation.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do. It's all my fault." She whispered quietly tears welling up in her eyes again.

"Don't say that Isabelle. It wasn't your fault." Uther said forcefully grabbing her hands.

She smiled weakly at him then continued.

"Uncle thought I might be in danger and our defences have been badly damaged. Camelot has the best reputation for protection against sorcerers and father always thought so highly of you and, well I spent most of my childhood here so uncle thought that I'd be safer here."

She looked back at the floor, waiting for Uther's reply. She didn't want to be a burden to them but she didn't really know what else to do. Deep down inside she was scared. Scared of what was to come and what she may have inadvertently caused. There was no way she was going to admit her fear however; she was too stubborn. Anyway once this was all over, Arthur would never let her live it down.

"My dear of course you can stay here, you are always welcome. Camelot has the best defence system in the realm. You will be safe here."

Isabelle's face lit up and she threw her arms around him happily.

"Thank you My Lord."

"I'm sure you're tired after your journey. Arthur will take you to your room and make sure you have everything you need."

Isabelle pulled back and smiled widely again at Uther.

"Thank you." She repeated and followed Arthur wearily out of the hall.

Arthur gestured at Merlin to follow them as he led Isabelle through the doors.