Hello to anyone reading this! So I started watching Merlin again and I completely forgot how amazing this show was and I wish they did more seasons. And then my love for Arthur came forth and I just had to do a story. Obviously if you've read my other stories I love OC's so this one is going to be an Arthur/Oc story. I'm not sure of any other pairings at the moment, it will be set in the episodes but they won't be word for word re-writes because I hate reading fics like that as they bore me. Please give it a shot and don't dismiss it because I may have used a few lines from the show because it can't actually be avoided sometimes. I love having constructive critisism so if you see any mistakes with grammar please let me know!

And another note, because a really good anglo-saxon translator is hard to come by the spells that don't appear in the show will be in Welsh, with the help of the trusty Google Translate! Or if there is anyone out there who'd be able to translate into anglo-saxon for me, send me a pm and your help would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the beginning of Silver Lining!

Cassandra.

Nimueh stood at the alter on the Isle of the Blessed. She was chanting quietly to herself, swaying her arms around her ripped red dress. She stopped when she heard footsteps behind her, her dark blue eyes opened as she turned and smiled at the girl behind her. "You are ready." She stated to her. The younger girl nodded her head. Nimueh turned fully around and stepped towards her slowly.

"You know your quest."

She nodded once more as Nimueh smiled coldly at the girl. "Very good. Now, go to Camelot. And do not disappoint me." Nimueh turned back to her alter and summoned a giant grimoire, when she glanced over her shoulder again, her apprentice was nowhere to be seen.

~1~

Prince Arthur and his manservant Merlin were hunting in the woods not far from Camelot. Arthur was sick and tired of hitting Merlin every time he made a loud noise and scared the animals away, he still couldn't think of a reasonable reason why he brought him along in the first place.

"If you manage to scare one more deer off, I'll start hunting you." He hissed to his servant as Merlin stopped walking and pursed his lips as Arthur kept walking.

"Sorry, sire." He apologized as Arthur rolled his eyes as he lined up his spear with a deer that he could spot not far from where they were. Merlin was careful that he didn't make a noise as Arthur pulled his arm back and was ready to fire at the animal. Just as he released it a horse neighed and they both heard a girl scream. Giving each other a quick glance they both dropped their bags and weapons and took off running through the forest. They headed in the direction they heard the scream but they couldn't see anyone. A few seconds later they heard another scream, it wasn't far so they both ran in the direction of it.

When they emerged into a clearing they spotted someone cloaked who Arthur assumed was the girl as she struggled with a bandit. Arthur drew his sword as Merlin quickly glanced around for any other bandits that might be lurking around waiting to ambush them. Before Arthur even reached to kill the bandit the girl pulled her arm back and swung it forwards and hit the bandit in the face. As he bent over holding his nose she pushed the back of his head and smashed it into her knee. The bandit collapsed as Arthur stopped in his tracks and Merlin bumped into him. "Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed. They both heard a gasp as their heads snapped to see the dark cloaked figure quickly turn and run.

"Wait!" Arthur yelled as he sheathed his sword and ran after the girl. Arthur didn't want to admit it but they girl could run fast. She darted in and out of the trees as Arthur was trying to keep up.

Then suddenly she was gone, Arthur stopped running as he turned his head from side to side. How was it that she had been right in front of him then suddenly she had just vanished? "Arthur!" Merlin yelled out as Arthur turned around and shrugged.

"She's gone!" he yelled back.

Merlin caught up to the Prince as they both looked around, they still couldn't see her. "Did you see what she looked like?" Merlin asked him.

Arthur shook his head, "No. Well, obviously she didn't need our help. Come on Merlin, let's head back. If father asks why there's no kill I can just blame it on you." Merlin sighed as he followed his prince back to where they tied their horses.

~1~

It was two days later; Gaius and Merlin were eating their breakfast together, "Merlin, I need you to clean out the room on the upper level."

Merlin looked up from his breakfast, "Why?" he said with a mouth full. Gaius gave him a scolding look as Merlin quickly chewed.

"I've hired an assistant."

"I thought I was your assistant?" Merlin asked, a little offended.

Gaius smirked, "No, you're Arthur's servant and a buffoon who I order around. This is someone I can actually count on. And who'll listen to me."

"I listen to you!" Merlin exclaimed. Gaius chuckled.

"She actually enjoys science. And she doesn't whine, unlike you. So hurry up, I'm expecting her very soon." Merlin groaned as he stood and left the chambers. Gaius smirking as he watched him leave the room.

Out in the courtyard a cloaked figure slid down from their horse, a stable hand came up to the figure. "Shall I take your horse?" the figure nodded as the boy took the horse away. The dark cloaked figure looked up at the tall towers of Camelot, a sneer crept up on their face as they raised their hands and pulled down the hood of their cloak. Fiery red hair was flicked out and cascaded in waves to the middle of her back. Her emerald green eyes darted around as she pulled the dark cloak tighter around her. Her pale skin seemed to give off a glow in the sun, freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks, and pale pink lips pursed as she twisted her head from side to side. She spotted a small wooden sign, which directed her where to go as she began walking. Before she could reach the door a voice spoke out that made her turn.

"Cass?"

She laughed and shook her head in disbelief, "Merlin!" the gangly black haired boy ran up to her and hugged her quickly.

"I can't believe it's you!" he cried out as he pulled back as Cass smiled at him, her smile dropped.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you in Ealdor?" she asked him. Merlin cast his gaze down.

"I had to leave, but that's a story for a different time. What are you doing in Camelot? Cass, I haven't seen you in ten years!"

"I'm sorry I never wrote. I was far away and I just never had the time. And I'm here as Gaius' assistant."

Merlin's jaw dropped as he pointed at her, "You. You're the assistant?"

She grinned and nodded, "I sent him a letter a few weeks ago telling him that I'd be back home and he offered me a position as his assistant. But he never mentioned you being here!"

Merlin shrugged one shoulder, "I only got here last week. Gaius' memory isn't what it used to be. He probably forgot. But this is great! I finally have a friend here."

Merlin and Cass both laughed together before they heard someone yell Merlin's name. "Merlin!" they both looked towards the doors to the castle. Merlin groaned and rolled his eyes as Cass stared with a stony expression directed at the Prince of Camelot. He hurried down the stairs and stalked across the courtyard. When Arthur reached his servant and an unknown woman he crossed his arms and raised his brows. "I'm sorry, am I interrupting anything? Is talking more important than shining my boots and polishing my armor?" Merlin wasn't fazed by Arthur's words.

"Arthur, this is Cassandra. She's from my village, and she's Gaius' new assistant." He said proudly as Arthur turned to look at Cassandra. He had to actually look down at her, in a non-condescending way because she was just so small. Her full height only came to the middle of his chest, her eyes he noticed, were the brightest green that he had ever seen in Camelot. Her clothes were obscured by a thick dark cloak that looked strikingly familiar to him. Another thing that shocked him was that Merlin's friend was actually very beautiful. She was equally as beautiful as Morgana, and even though she was small she held herself with grace and sophistication. Like she had been born into a noble family.

Cassandra realized that she must bow to the Prince and she did so quickly, she curtsied. "It is an honor to meet you, Prince Arthur." She rose as Arthur nodded to her, he then turned to Merlin.

"Well, my armor isn't going to polish itself. Get going Merlin." Merlin smiled and said goodbye to Cassandra and hurried off. Cassandra watched him go as Arthur's voice drew her attention away from her friend. "How long have you known Merlin?"

She looked up at the Prince, "Since before I could remember. Merlin's a good friend." He didn't say anything, after a few seconds he spoke.

"Has he always been…not bright?"

Cassandra laughed and tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear, "Merlin has his moments. Though they may be few, he can surprise you." Arthur scoffed.

A knight appeared asking him if he was ready for training, he turned back to Cassandra, "Excuse me." She curtseyed to him as he left her as Cassandra turned around and went walking to the court physician's quarters. She pushed the door open and climbed the stairs, when she came to the only door she knocked.

"Come in," an old voice said from behind the door. Cassandra smiled to herself as she opened the door and stepped into the room. She looked around, books lay scattered everywhere. A table in the center of the room had various amounts of instruments on it. Shelves held various bottles filled with potions and books and strange ingredients. And walking around the room was an old man with wispy white hair to his shoulders, he looked up from the book he was holding and glanced over at Cassandra. His mouth widened into a grin as he placed he book down and opened his arms wide. "Cassandra!"

Cassandra smiled as she walked into Gaius' arms as he held her tight. "Hello Gaius," she greeted as he pulled back.

"Let me look at you. My," he mused as he glanced over her face, "You look just like your mother." Cassandra's gaze lowered as she got a distant look on her face. "That was not intended to be an insult." Gaius spoke softly to her.

Cassandra met his gaze again, "I know. It's hard hearing people talk about her."

Gaius patted her shoulder, "Go get settled in your room, it's upstairs. Merlin cleaned it out for you. When your ready you can help me do my rounds." Cassandra nodded as she glanced up, she could spot stairs in the corner leading up to a thin balcony. She climbed them and walked across the balcony and opened the door into her room.

It was small and bare, but it was enough. A single bed was placed in the far corner with a window above it. A cupboard and a dresser with a small mirror above it was on another side of the room. Cassandra set her bag down on the bed as she unclipped her cloak to reveal brown pants tucking into black boots and a dark green tunic with a black belt around her waist. She reached behind her head and braided her red hair and flicked it over her shoulder. She sighed as she walked to her bed and sat down on the lumpy mattress. Her feet barely touched the ground as she swung them back and forwards. She turned her head to look out the window on her left. The sky was a cornflower blue with no clouds in the sky. Cassandra turned her gaze back down and glanced around her room one more time. She felt trapped.

"Cassandra! I'm leaving to do my rounds!" she heard Gaius call up to her. She stood from her bed, left her cloak and bag and left her room. As she came down the stairs Gaius handed her a satchel, which she slung around her shoulders. "We'll do the rounds in the castle first so that you get used to walking around there. Then go down to the town."

"Sounds good to me." She smiled at him as Gaius sent her a smile as they left the chambers.

Gaius and Cassandra walked out into the courtyard, it was livelier now and servants seemed to be carrying banners with flags and long posts. Cassandra also spotted a number of knights from different lands arriving. "Is there something happening here?" Cassandra asked Gaius as they reached the steps that led into the castle. They both stopped before ascending them. "Yes, there is a tournament held here in Camelot every year. Knights from all over the five kingdoms come and fight for the chance to be champion."

"Sounds boring to be honest." Cassandra grumbled as Gaius laughed.

"Still think fighting is a waste of time." He stated as Cassandra held her head up high.

"It's just a chance for men to whack each other with pointy sticks to try and prove who is greater than the other. I prefer to analyze how the steel in which a sword is made and molded."

Gaius patted her shoulder, "And that's why I like you better than Merlin." He chuckled as Cassandra laughed. They both entered the castle and went to the kitchens. Gaius handed the cook a potion to help with his hearing, next they went to the laundry and Gaius handed one of the woman called Hilda a potion to help with her elbow joints from doing the laundry for so many years. While they walked about the castle Cassandra asked Gaius about Merlin and what he did to be the servant for Prince Arthur.

"Gaius!" a female voice called out. Cassandra and Gaius stopped and turned to see Gwen rushing up to them.

"Ah, Guinevere. What can I do for you?" Gwen smiled to both of them.

"Gaius, my father has fallen ill with a cold. I was wondering if you could please make a potion for him. With the tournament tomorrow the smithy is full of demands and he can't even breathe through his nose."

"Of course Gwen," Gaius smiled at her; he then realized that he hadn't introduced Cassandra to Gwen. "Forgive my manners, Gwen this is Cassandra. My assistant, she just arrived today and I was showing her the castle." Gwen and Cassandra smiled at each other.

"You'll love it here. And Gaius is one of the kindest people I know." Gwen smiled over at Gaius as she quickly straightened up, "I should be going, Lady Morgana is waiting for me." Gaius stepped to the side to let her pass.

"Then please, do not let us keep you. I shall send Cassandra over with the potion."

"Thank you Gaius, Cassandra." Gwen nodded to them both as she hurried away.

~1~

After making his rounds Gaius brought Cassandra back to the chambers so that they could begin brewing Tom's potion. Gaius was walking around with his hands behind his back, asking Cassandra questions about herbs that would be best used for Tom's medicine.

"Ginger, commonly used for colds." Cassandra commented as she broke off a piece and chucked it into a pot.

"And what can be used to sooth his throat and ease his cough?" Gaius asked as he sat at the table.

Cassandra thought for a moment, "Burnet Saxifrage, though normally you chew on the root. If I crushed the roots and filtered it could it still be effective?" Cassandra asked as she dug through a cupboard looking for the plant.

"Indeed it can, you are very knowledgeable, where did you learn all of this?" he asked her as Cassandra found the plant and began cutting the roots away from the plant. She then placed then in the mortar and began crushing.

"On my travels I met a vast amount of people who knew a lot of things. Most of them were…healers." She said slowly. Gaius glanced up at her; Cassandra didn't meet his gaze as she kept on crushing.

"Well, I am certainly thankful. You are a lot better than Merlin. He doesn't know the difference between Deadly Nightshade and Belladonna."

Cassandra finally glanced up and smiled, "but they are the same thing."

Gaius winked at her, "Exactly." Cassandra laughed as she grabbed the filter and poured the roots liquid into the pot. She stirred it three times and let it still for a few minutes.

When it was ready she grabbed an empty vial and poured the liquid into two vials. She handed it to Gaius as he sniffed it quickly and smiled. "Excellent, as if I had brewed it myself. Now, Gwen's house is in the lower town, next to the Blacksmith's. I can't go with you as I've got to see to King Uther. But after you've delivered Tom his medicine I have a list of herbs for you to buy for me. Some though can only be found in the fields outside of Camelot. Will you be alright?" he asked her as Cassandra grabbed Gaius' satchel and pulled it over her shoulder.

"Of course, Gaius. I'll see you later." She waved as she left the chambers.

Out in the courtyard she spotted Merlin carrying a whole bunch of armor. "Merlin!" said boy stopped and looked over to the voice that called him. He spotted Cassandra and smiled as he walked over to her. He noticed that she was not wearing a dress but a tunic.

"Still wearing men's clothing I see." Cassandra looked down at herself and shrugged.

"Have you tried travelling for weeks in a dress? I didn't think so. Collecting herbs for Gaius in a dress? That is very uncomfortable." Merlin chuckled as Cassandra looked at the armor in his arms weirdly. "What are you doing with all that?" she asked him as Merlin looked down in his arms then back up to her and gave her a grin.

"You wouldn't happen to know anything about armor would you?"

"Not a clue. Though I am going to Gwen's house. Isn't her father a blacksmith?" Merlin's face brightened.

"Cass, you're a genius!"

"I'm heading there now, why don't we go together?" Merlin nodded and together they headed down into the lower town together.

They both chatted about their younger days together, the mischief they used to cause together.

"Has Ealdor changed in ten years I've been gone?" Cassandra asked.

Merlin shook his head, "Not really, everyone just got older. Old man Geoffrey is still alive though."

"Wow."

"Yeah, I know." They fell into a comfortable silence as they walked the rest of the way to Gwen's house. When they got there Merlin knocked on the door, Gwen's father opened the door as Merlin greeted him. "Morning Tom. Is Gwen in?" Tom sneezed over Merlin as the servant cringed as Cassandra held in her laugh. Tom looked over his shoulder and called for Gwen as she appeared at the door. She let Merlin in as Cassandra dug in the satchel for the two vials.

"Tom is it? I'm Cassandra, Gaius' assistant. He sent me over with this, take one vial now and then the other before you go to bed and you should be fit as a fiddle by morning." Tom sighed in relief and thanked Cassandra.

"Thank you so much." He downed one vial as Cassandra smiled at him as he told Gwen he was going next door and he left.

Cassandra looked into the house and saw Merlin dropping the armor on the table so that Gwen could help him.

"I'll see you later Merlin!" she called as she shut the door. Merlin and Gwen both said goodbye as Cassandra walked down the street, heading for the market. She pulled out the list from her pocket and looked around the various stalls. Thankfully Gaius had marked which herbs she could buy and what one's she needed to go get from the fields. She walked up to a stall that seemed to sell some herbs and ingredients.

"Morning Milady." The shopkeeper said as Cassandra greeted him.

"Morning. I'm looking for Cress, Rosemary, Wormwood and Ginger." The shopkeeper fumbled around for a minute before he produced every single one of her items. She paid the man as she placed them in her satchel.

From down the street, Arthur and few of his knights had finished their training and were wondering the streets of Camelot. Some of them wanted to visit the local tavern but Arthur had no interest. He just wanted to train more for the tournament tomorrow. His knights walked into the tavern, which left him alone, he was about to turn around and head back to the castle when he spotted bright red hair in the market. He looked closer and saw that it was indeed Cassandra. He was shocked to see that she was wearing men's attire. With brown breeches and a dark green tunic, her hair was braided down her back and she had her satchel across her shoulders. He hadn't seen a woman wear men's clothing to do simple errands before. It intrigued him as he strolled over to her. She was currently examining a leather bag in one of the stalls, "Cassandra, isn't it?" he called out as she jumped slightly and turned her attention to Arthur.

When she saw it was him she bowed to him, "It is, My Lord. And what do I owe this pleasure of having you address me?" She smirked at him as Arthur crossed his arms.

"I was intrigued at your attire. Have you noticed that you are in fact wearing men's clothes?" He stated to her. Cassandra looked down at herself then back up and held a hand to her heart.

"Gosh I never knew! That you for pointing out the obvious." She started walking the opposite direction of Arthur as the Prince's mouth flopped open in shock for her talking to him like that. He collected his thoughts as he jogged after her. For such a small girl she could sure walk fast, Arthur thought as he walked beside her as she ignored him completely.

"You know, I could have you arrested for that comment." Cassandra didn't acknowledge him as Arthur shook his head. "It is required for you to answer your Prince."

Cassandra suddenly stopped and turned to Arthur, glaring up at him, "Is there a reason for you interrupting my job, my Lord?" she said the 'my Lord' sarcastically. Arthur didn't say anything to her; he was just worried that some of the townspeople would overhear her being rude to him. "And for your information, I wear men's attire because it is easier to do my job. Wearing a dress out in the fields to pick herbs is incredibly difficult. And have you ever tried to wash a dress when mud has seeped into the cloth? No? I didn't think so." She left Arthur standing in the mud as she walked off again, leaving Arthur wondering what the hell had just happened. He watched as she walked over to the stables and hired a horse. Arthur realized that she was intending to leave Camelot, he felt a sense of protection for Cassandra as he ran up to her as she mounted the chestnut horse.

"You're leaving Camelot?" he asked her.

She looked down at him, "Yes, my job requires me to pick herbs from the fields outside of the city. Why, is that meant to be a man's job?" she asked him, he came to realize that she was extremely sarcastic and it reminded him of Merlin.

"No, sometimes the lands can be dangerous. Allow me to accompany you, or get Merlin. He may not be able to wield a sword, but his girlish scream can frighten anyone off." He chuckled as Cassandra rolled her eyes.

"I'll have you know I can look after my self. I seemed to do alright in the forest two days ago, didn't I?" with that Cassandra nudged her horse as she galloped out of Camelot. Arthur dodged the mud that was flicked up as he stared open mouthed after her.

~1~

It was nighttime when Cassandra returned to Camelot. Her satchel was full of all the herbs she needed to collect for Gaius, she gave the horse back to the stables as she made her slow walk back up to the castle and back to the physician quarters. As she neared the castle she noticed the giant tournament ring that had been set up. She scoffed to herself as she continued walking, her heeled boots clicked on the cobblestone floor as she entered the courtyard. Only guards were present now as she headed over to the tower.

She didn't knock when she walked into her new home. Gaius and Merlin were eating dinner when she walked in.

"Cass, we thought you died." Merlin said as her slurped his soup. Cassandra smirked as she set the satchel down on the ingredients and potions table.

"Well, I can see you were anxious so come find me. Gaius I got everything you needed. Is there anything else you need me to do?" she asked as she walked behind Merlin and nicked his bread. He started to protest but she slapped his hand away. Gaius nodded as he finished eating what was in his mouth. He stood from the table and walked over to a shelf.

"I need you to deliver this to the Lady Morgana. Her chambers are on the third floor in the west wing. It's her sleeping draft for she suffers from nightmares." He handed it to her as Cassandra studied it.

"What's it composed of?" she asked him.

"Chervil, coriander and cress." They both heard Merlin snort into his soup as they both looked at him.

"Something to say?" Cassandra asked.

Merlin shrugged his shoulders, "No, no. Nothing, it's just you two are like the biggest know-it-alls now that you're together." Gaius and Cassandra shook their heads together as Cassandra told them that she'd be back soon.

She left the room and went over to the castle steps. She was a bit nervous going in there, what if she got lost and went to a place that was restricted and she got executed? She shook her head from that thought, which was crazy. She would be fine. She entered the castle and looked around, everything was white marble. Stairs on her left and on her right, she took the one on her left as she came to another floor. A set of small circular stairs in the corner led up to another level that she took. Now was the hard part, she had to try and find Morgana's room. Gaius said her chambers were in the west wing of the third floor.

She continued along a hallway until she came to three doors, she stood there looking at all three of them. She didn't want to knock on just any of the doors. What if one of them was the Kings? Well she doubted that because the King's chambers would have guards outside his room.

Just as she was about to knock on the door Gwen came walking around the corner holding a tray of food. "Gwen!" Cassandra called in relief.

Gwen smiled down at her, "Evening Cassandra. Can I help you with something?" Cassandra smiled and held up the vial.

"Gaius sent me over with Lady Morgana's sleeping draught."

"Well, that's perfect timing. She normally takes it with her dinner. Come, her room is right here." She said as she pointed to the room opposite the one Cassandra was going to knock on. They both entered and Cassandra gazed around the giant room, it was beautifully decorated with rugs and tapestries. Her bed was a huge four-poster with white curtains and silk sheets.

"My lady, I brought you your dinner. And Cassandra is here, remember the girl I was talking about earlier?" Morgana rose from the chair she had been sitting at waiting for Gwen to return. She turned and smiled at the woman who stood before her. She noticed how beautiful Cassandra actually was. Gwen had mentioned that she was pretty but Morgana could finally see for herself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Morgana." Cassandra curtsied as Morgana shook her head.

"The pleasure is all mine. Gwen tells me that you are Gaius' assistant. You must be very intelligent to brew potions and learn about science." Cassandra felt her face blush from her compliment.

"Science has always intrigued me, my lady. When I was very young Gaius came to my village to heal one of the children who had caught a deadly disease. It was then I became infatuated with the prospect of healing people and farthing my knowledge of the world. Gaius gave me a potions kit before he left so I could practice making my own."

Gwen and Morgana both smiled at her, "Merlin told me that you left your village when you were ten and you never returned."

"Yes, when I was ten my parents were murdered in a raid on our village. Once they were gone I had nothing left in the village so I left and travelled to various kingdoms. Camelot is the only kingdom I haven't been to."

"And you are staying of course? Lord knows we need another girl around here." Morgana chuckled as all three of them laughed. Cassandra had a distant look on her face, "I haven't yet decided. For now Camelot is my home, but something may come up and I might need to leave and travel again."

"And what would that be?" Morgana asked as Cassandra smiled at her.

"That is another story for another time, my lady. Here is your draught, Gaius send you his wishes of a dreamless sleep. Now I must retire, it has been a very long day."

"Of course, do not let us keep you from sleep. I shall see you at the tournament tomorrow?" Morgana asked as Cassandra shrugged.

"Fighting does not interest me, my lady. But my duties force me to go there as I will be there with Gaius tending to the injured."

"Then we shall see you tomorrow." Morgana smiled at her, so did Gwen as Cassandra curtsied to her and left the room. She shut the wooden door behind her as she leaned on it for a few seconds. She took a deep breath and exhaled through her nose as she pushed off the door and walked in the direction she came before. She went down the small circular stairs and walked across the landing, she came around the corner and stopped at the top of the next stairs when she saw Arthur coming up them.

He noticed her and stopped on the step, which now made them equal height.

"What are you doing here?" she blurted out, not addressing him properly, "my lord." She quickly added on the end.

Arthur scoffed and crossed his arms in annoyance, "Uh, I live here. What are you doing sneaking around?" he raised a brow as Cassandra copied him and crossed her own arms.

"I wasn't sneaking around, I was delivering Lady Morgana's sleeping draught for her." Arthur leaned heavily on one of his legs.

"Of course…was that really you in the forest two days ago?" Arthur asked her.

Cassandra smirked, "Yes, it was. Why? Sad you didn't get to play hero for once?" Arthur rolled his eyes at her.

"No, as much as it pains me to say. It was impressive, you know, for a girl of your size to take down a bandit." It was only later that Arthur realized his mistake.

Cassandra's emerald gaze turned dark, "A girl of my size? What's that supposed to mean? Aren't girls capable of protecting themselves, we don't need men to protect us all the time, we are capable, and as for my size; I may be small but I can surely bet that I could take you in a fight Arthur Pendragon. Goodnight and I hope you die horribly in the tournament tomorrow, my lord." She curtseyed as she brushed passed him and skipped down the stairs. Arthur watched her leave the castle as he blew air out of his mouth and ran a hand through his hair. He had half a mind to lock her up in the dungeons for her comment, but something stopped him. He didn't know what it was, but he chuckled to himself as he spun on his heel and walked off to his chambers.

~1~

When Cassandra returned to the physicians chambers she slammed the door shut behind her, which made both Merlin and Gaius jump. Merlin saw her stormy face as he groaned, "I know that look, you just ran into Arthur didn't you." He stated to her as Cassandra paced around the room.

"How long has he been that rude? Or has he been like that since birth? I mean he's such a condescending, arrogant, pig-headed, stupid…crabhat that I just wanted to rip his tongue out with my bare hands."

"What did he do?" Merlin asked as he leant his head on his hand. Cassandra slammed her hands down on that table that Merlin was sitting at.

"He had the nerve to degrade me and call me small!"

"Here we go."

"He told me that a girl of my size can't protect myself, what a bumbling oaf. I had half a mind to push him down those stairs." Merlin sighed as she continued jabbering on; Gaius was chuckling to himself as he watched over his bubbling potions. Cassandra continued on for a while as Merlin listened patiently. He knew that if he interrupted her while she was ranting that she's have his head. It had always been the case when they were young.

"When you're finished you would see that your dinner is on the table." Gaius said over her ranting. Cassandra stopped talking as she looked towards the table. There was indeed a bowl of soup waiting for her. She quickly seated and ate without talking. Gaius and Merlin both shared a look together as they smirked at Cassandra. After Cassandra had eaten most of it she looked up at Merlin.

"Did you learn all about armor today from Gwen?" she asked with a smile on her face.

Merlin nodded his head, "I did, so tomorrow should be easy."

Cassandra snorted into her bowl, "With that arrogant prat, I highly doubt it."

"And on that note you should be getting to bed, Merlin. You have a busy day ahead of you. You as well Cassandra, your first official day as physician."

Cassandra snorted into her soup, "What?" Gaius smiled at the girl as Merlin smirked at her.

"I spoke to the King after you brewed that potion for Tom. You are indeed skilled in the art of healing. I believe that you would be better suited as a physician than an assistant."

"Gaius…" she sighed. The old man smiled at her, he walked over to Cassandra and placed his hand on her shoulder. She smiled up at him as she finished her soup and handed it to Merlin for him to wash, he gave her a glare as she patted him roughly on the back. "Night Merlin." He gave her a nod as she went up the stairs.

She entered her room and shut the door behind her. The moonlight streamed into her dark room as she went to her draw and pulled out a handful of candles and matches. She lighted the candles and set them around the room as she readied for bed, she pulled off her boots and took off her belt and tunic. Leaving her in a long white cotton shirt and her breeches. She slipped them off and undid her hair from her braid and let it fall over her shoulder. Standing up straight Cassandra looked over her shoulder to her door. She then went over to the open window and pulled that shut.

She opened her bag as she dug around within it, when she found what she was looking for she pulled out an object wrapped in a purple cloth. She set the object on her dresser with the mirror and pulled the cloth off it slowly. She smiled as it revealed a large glowing white crystal.

"Yr wyf yn galw ar offeiriades uchel o Ynys Fendigaid." Cassandra's eyes glowed gold for a second before they went back to her bright emerald green. The crystal glowed bright as Cassandra peered down into it. From within the crystal a face appeared, with long dark hair, pale skin and deep blue eyes.

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd been found out already Cassandra." The woman said to her. Cassandra scoffed as her face turned into a sneer.

"No one suspects a thing. Within a few weeks Arthur will begin to trust me and that's when I'll make my move, once he is dead Uther will be distraught and weak. Taking him out will be as easy and snapping a branch." The woman laughed and smiled evilly.

"I knew I could count on you Cassandra. But while you weave your way into the Prince's heart I have a course of action. To weaken the King."

"And what would that be, Nimueh?" she asked.

"The King despises magic, you know this. I plan to use magic to weaken him; by using magic to bring Camelot to its knees Uther will be frantic. Mention the word magic around him and he no longer thinks rationally. I'm molding an Afanc." She grinned at Cassandra as the red head smiled back at her.

Cassandra heard footsteps coming up the stairs as she bowed to Nimueh in the crystal and waved her hand as her eyes glowed gold again for a second. She folded the crystal up and placed it in her draw, when she shut it the door opened and Merlin walked in.

When he saw that she was wearing only the long shirt he gasped and averted his eyes, "Sorry, didn't know you'd be naked." He blurted.

Cassandra laughed, "It's fine Merlin, I am wearing a shirt. What do you want?"

Merlin glanced around the room, "Nothing. I…thought I heard voices."

Cassandra shook her head, "No, just me Merlin. If there's not anything else I can help you with I am rather tired."

"Oh, of course. Sorry, night Cass." He left the room quickly as Cassandra's smile dropped off her face as she sneered at the closed door.

"Is it just me or is Merlin going to be a problem." She said to herself as her eyes glowed with magic and all the candles went out.

Translation: "I call upon the High Priestess from the Isle of the Blessed."

I hope you enjoyed it! If you want you could leave a review and tell me what you thought of it?