Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, just my OC and her family.

This is my first Merlin story. Please enjoy!

01. The Beginning

Buildings and people were blurs as Alayna ran by, streams of curly, golden hair trailing behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see the crimson cloaks of the Camelot knights fading into the distance. She laughed aloud in triumph, turning her attention forward just as she slammed into something solid. The wind was knocked out of her and she fell to the ground.

Holding a hand to her head, Alayna sat up, peering up to see what she had run into. It was a boy, about her age with blonde hair and impossibly blue eyes. He wore chainmail. Beside him was another boy with black hair, wearing clothes worthy of a servant, as they were close to the castle.

Arthur peered down at the girl who had barreled into him. Her golden curls tumbled down her back as she tilted her head up to look at him with the brightest green eyes he'd ever seen. Despite being a female, this girl was dressed in a tan shirt and brown vest, breeches and brown boots. A sword was strapped to her waist and a bow and a quiver of arrows on her back.

Shouting reached the ears of the three teenagers. Alayna hopped to her feet, ready to flee, but it was too late. Arthur stood in front of her and the knights were closing in behind her. In seconds, a knight was behind Alayna, grabbing her by the shoulders and holding her firmly.

"What's going on here?" Arthur asked the knights who had been chasing Alayna. He had to speak slightly louder because of the construction going on behind him.

"We found this girl hunting outside of the city walls," the knight holding Alayna answered.

Arthur nodded. "You may leave, I will handle this."

Alayna was released. The knights bowed their heads and left. Wearily, Alayna watched Arthur.

"Hunting without permission is forbidden in Camelot," Arthur told Alayna.

"I'm aware," Alayna replied.

Arthur glanced at his companion, Merlin, then back to the girl. "This is considered theft and is punishable."

"Yes."

"Yes….what?" Arthur prompted.

'Shoot…what am I supposed to say?' Alayna thought. 'Your Grace? No, that's for the king. My lord? He's not a lord, is he? Just a prince.'

Arthur could practically see the wheels turning in the girl's head, making him raise an eyebrow.

Finally, Alayna answered with the only words she could come up with. "Yes, your…" Alayna eyed the chainmail and the obvious muscles underneath. "…manliness?"

Merlin snorted, but quickly tried to cover it up with a cough.

"Your manliness?" Arthur echoed.

Alayna was spared a response by a shout.

"Arthur!"

Arthur, Merlin, and Alayna glanced over to see an older man striding towards them. A metal crown sat atop his head and was dressed all in black. He came to a stop before them.

"Arthur, you are meant to be in the training yard; what are you doing here?"

Arthur responded, but Alayna wasn't paying attention. For just then, movement behind Arthur caught her eye. A large brick that was being hauled up by a rope for atop the castle wall broke free from its binding and was falling, straight for Arthur's head.

"Look out!" Alayna yelled, rushing Arthur and pushing him away.

The large brick landed where Arthur had been a second before, cracking the stone road beneath it. Everyone glanced to the stone in surprise, before looking at Alayna. Feeling awkward, Alayna got to her feet, backing away from the prince, whose life she had just saved. Arthur, too, got to his feet.

The new arrival looked over at Alayna. "What is your name, little girl?"

Alayna glared. "I'm not a little girl. I'm seventeen, old man."

Merlin took in a sharp breath of air as the man looked crossly at Alayna.

"Old man?" Arthur was shocked. "Do you know who this man is?"

"Uther Pendragon," Alayna answered with a shrug.

"And are you aware that he the king?"

"Quite."

Uther chose to ignore Alayna's rudeness. He addressed the girl again. "What is your name?"

Alayna raised her head high. "Alayna Thorel."

"Thorel…" Uther echoed. "The same Thorel as Aldwin Thorel, Lord of Kent?"

"He is my father."

"You are the sister of Sir Thorel then? The knight Lord Aldwin sent to Camelot?" Arthur asked.

"Yes," Alayna bowed her head.

"He died in combat," Arthur said aloud for his father's benefit.

Uther turned his attention back to the girl before him. "Why have you not returned to Kent?"

"I like it here in Camelot, sire," Alayna said, looking almost embarrassed to admit it.

Arthur rolled his eyes. 'So now she remembers her titles…'

"How have you been surviving on your own?" Uther asked, more out of curiosity.

"I make weapons, Your Grace," Alayna said.

Uther glanced down to the sword Alayna carried. He nodded to it. Alayna unsheathed the sword, carefully handing it to the king.

"Did you make this?" Uther asked.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Uther examined the sword, taking a few swings with it and balancing it in his hands. He held it up to his face, looking at the metal and hilt. Carefully, he handed it back to Alayna.

"You are talented," he commented. "The smith who works for my army has recently removed his own hand while working. I am in need of a replacement."

"Father, are you suggesting this girl should take his place?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"Yes," Uther answered. "See to it she is transferred to a chamber in the castle and get her to work. Our knights are lacking sharpened weapons."

"But….she's a girl," Arthur protested.

"Exactly. So if she has to save you again, I'll strip you of your armor and give it to her."

With that, Uther turned on his heel and left.

"Congratulations," Merlin turned to Alayna. "You now have to follow anything Arthur says."

Alayna groaned.