A/N: Hello, I know I started this story a year or so ago and due to personal problems and school I had to leave it, I´m sorry for any inconvinience that caused, but be sure I´m back and I intend to finish this. The old chapters were deleted as Im looking over them with the big help of my wonderful Beta Fanwriter1245 who´s been such a big help, so a big thank you dear!

Now please enjoy :)

Chapter 1: Within the Castle Walls

There had been many things that had helped during his first weeks at Camelot to change Merlin's mind about Arthur.

He certainly was a big headed prat most of the time, but the young prince had his moments that proved to Merlin that he had the potential of becoming a good and just King with a bit of help…well with all the help he could get.

It wasn't long before Merlin became not only a loyal servant for Arthur, but a loyal friend, once he discovered his biggest secret. One Arthur wouldn't have revealed if he hadn't trusted Merlin as much as Merlin trusted him.

The secret was so big, Merlin didn't know how was it possible for it to be still a secret.

Merlin looked in disbelief at the young girl by Arthur's side. His mouth hung wide open as he looked from Arthur to the girl and back again.

She looked very small at the side of Arthur for she had a petite frame and looked to be under-fed. It couldn't be from the lack of economical resources for her clothes were fit for a princess just as her chambers were.

"I…don't understand," Merlin mumbled below his breath, finally finding the coherence to speak out loud but not yet finding the ability to tear his eyes from his master and the unknown girl.

"Weren't you bothering me all these weeks to know where I was sneaking out at night?" Arthur inquired, trying to be as relaxed in the situation as he could, though it was easy to tell there was a hint of nervousness in his voice.

The girl sat silently at the side of Arthur looking at the floor. She seemed to be ashamed to be seen next to him, and more so to be below Merlin's questioning eyes.

"Yes, but…" Merlin turned to look at Arthur. "I just…you…"

Arthur let out a sigh at seeing Merlin lost for words and certainly at a loss for an explanation of everything that was going on.

"I sneak out of my room every night to come here. I have done so since I was a young boy because it's…it's the only way I can visit my sister," Arthur said, placing his arm around the girl who was starting to turn a bit pale and still refused to even look at him.

"Merlin, meet my sister Anabelle. Ana, this is my lazy servant, the one I told you about," the prince said with a small smirk.

Just as Arthur finished his statement, several of the tea cups that were in the room began floating around. Merlin looked on in shock before Ana let out a scared gasp at the sight of them and the cups fell to the floor shattering to millions of pieces.

Anabelle looked terrified, as if she had just been sentenced to hang the next morning.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so nervous and…" the girl said in such a low voice, Merlin was surprised he had even heard her.

"It's all right, Ana. Merlin can be trusted. If he couldn't, I wouldn't have brought him here," Arthur said quietly and as calmly as he could.

Merlin smiled in the young girl's direction. Now it was so plain to see that indeed Arthur and the girl were related. They both had the same nose, the same eyes, the same mouth, in fact they had the same facial features with the difference that Ana's were much more delicate, more feminine, and that her hair was a rich caramel brown that curled at the tips in difference of Arthur's light blonde.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady," Merlin said naturally giving her a small bow after having gotten past the initial shock and starting to fully understand the situation.

Ana was looking at him in disbelief, half-expecting him to turn his back and get away as fast as his feet could carry him after having seen her do magic, but instead he was smiling kindly at her, like only her brother had ever done before. She couldn't help but smile shyly at him, giving a small nod in recognition of his words.

"Don't just stand there, Merlin! Help me with this mess!" Arthur called as he surprisingly got to his knees to start picking up the shattered cups.

The walk back to Arthur's room was a long one, even if the secret room in which Ana was secluded wasn't that far.

"Why is she kept there?" Merlin asked once they were safe in Arthur's chambers.

"I thought the cups shattering was enough explanation, Merlin," the prince said in a way that suggested that he didn't wanted to talk about it. "She's…she's dangerous…" Arthur added faintly which made it clear it wasn't a statement he actually believed in.

"Then…" Merlin said, testing if he could continue inquiring and seeing that Arthur seemed up to it, he continued, "Why did you take me with you?"

"I was hoping you would visit her when you had the time. You saw her. She is getting quite thin, and none of the potions Gaius has given her seems to restore back her health. I fear her sickness derives of loneliness. Now, while you are the worst servant I ever had, you are always late, you never seem to do your chores as you should…it wouldn't make a big difference if you disappeared for an hour or two…"

Merlin didn't even tried to hide the smile that plastered on his face, feeling a bit touched of being trusted with such a big secret.