The Warlock's Apprentice
Summary: In future Camelot, Albion is thriving - Arthur is king and the kingdom has never had a greater leader but when old enemies return with the greatest weapon of all - destiny itself, a young girl at the centre of it all has to make a terrible choice.
A/N: This is my first Merlin fic and is set about 16 years after series 3, Arthur's King and married to Gwen and Merlin is the court sorcerer, I hope you like it! Please review!
Disclaimer: Merlin is owned by the BBC, not me
Alexandra stared up at the city of Camelot; it was so different – so busy. Quickening her pace she raced on her horse to the gates of this new life and after getting passed the guards, dismounted and looked around in awe. It was so big, with the castle standing tall over the whole Kingdom – "Wow!" was all she could say. She walked over to the entrance of the castle before being stopped by the guards,
"State your business here" They said simply.
"I wish to have an audience with the King; I have come in search of work." She replied nervously
"We'll see what we can do." And with a faint smile, they walked into the depths of the castle and disappeared from sight. In the meantime, Alexandra chose to have a look around the market while she was there – coming from a small camp she had rarely seen something as wonderful with so many exotic goods for sale. There were fine silks and cloths, beautiful jewellery and makeup and so many types of foods and herbs than she could count as well as so much more. Being a fairly poor family she had never really seen anything that expensive or rich and so she was thrilled with the choice of items. However, she was swiftly brought back down to reality when she felt something strange. The magic in her veins was reacting to something but she didn't know what, she stopped suddenly expecting the feeling to go away only it didn't. It grew and grew as did her anticipation; she grew up around familiar people and hardly ever met anyone different so this feeling came as a shock. In the end she didn't know what to do – it wasn't a bad feeling, it was warm and was more of a recognition feeling than a warning, but still she decided to get away.
She quickly started walking again that turned into more of a jog as she weaved through the people at the market but instead of going away, the feeling grew even more until she felt like it couldn't get any bigger, panic etched on her face as she began to run but did not get very far before smashing into a man. The feeling suddenly changed, she wasn't frightened anymore before realising that she had just smashed into someone. She murmured a quiet apology before looking up at the person. He had short black hair and sticky out ears but what drew her attention was his large blue eyes, filled with mystery and wisdom. She became slightly entranced by their depths before coming back to reality when she heard him speak,
"Are you ok?" he asked kindly, looking down at her,
"Oh, yes. Um, yes I'm fine I'm really sorry about bumping into you, it was a total accident but I should have been looking where I was going, it was all my fault and I am really, really sorry, I didn't mean to but I've always been kinda clumsy but it really was my fault and I am really-" but she was cut off by him,
"Hey, it's alright! I'm fine you don't need to apologise – it was probably my fault anyway," he said to her gently,
Suddenly a man appeared from nowhere and laughed, she looked at him curiously. "It's always his fault – isn't it Merlin! You're the clumsiest buffoon I've ever known!" he laughed while the man, who she guessed was Merlin, rolled his eyes.
"At least I'm not a total prat like you Arthur!" he retorted, chuckling himself now,
"Hey!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, at least I'm not a total prat like you, my lord!" At this Alexandra widened her eyes, he was calling this other man 'my lord', that meant that he was important, possibly royalty but the fact that he called him Arthur got rid of any doubt, she was stood in front of the King himself.
"Oh, my lord! I didn't know that it was you sire! My humblest apologies, it will never happen again – it's my first day in Camelot see, and-" but before she could finish she was again interrupted,
"Relax! Don't worry umm..."
"Alexandra, my lord"
"Don't worry Alexandra! No harm done," he said smiling "Your first day in Camelot you said, what brings you here?"
"Oh I'm searching for work my lord, and also hopefully find my father," she replied, returning the smile while pushing her hair behind her ear,
"You're a bit young to be wanting work, you only look around 13, did you come here alone?"
"Yes sire, and I am indeed 13 years old but I became a bit unwanted at my camp,"
"Camp?" Merlin interjected, "Ahh, you're a druid!" he realised noticing the symbol on her upper arm.
"Yes, I am," she said smiling
"But why were you unwanted at your camp?" The King said, also seeing the druid symbol marked clearly on her arm and mentally kicking himself for not noticing it sooner.
With this question her face fell slightly, "Because there were a few, well problems and they were scared, I was a bit too powerful" She said simply with a sad smile.
"Oh," they both said, feeling sympathy for this young girl who was so alone, "I have an idea!" said Merlin, breaking the silence. "You need help with controlling your magic you're still looking for work and it would be nice for me to have some help sometimes so why don't you become my apprentice!" he said with a goofy grin feeling quite proud of himself for making the connection.
"Do you have magic then?" she asked innocently before she heard a stifled laugh coming from the King,
"Does he have magic! Ha! He's the court sorcerer!" he laughed
"Oh." She said, "Well then, yes! It would be perfect if you want to..." she said, eyes shining with the widest grin she could manage plastered across her face with a glint of hope in her eyes.
"Great!" Merlin exclaimed "Come with me and I'll get you some chambers." He said also smiling as he lead her away from the market and into the castle, now only hoping that he was as good a teacher to her as Gaius was to him.
