MERLIN
In the heart of the forest where the sun filtered through the canopy of trees onto the dewy grass, a doe was peacefully eating her fill. It was a beautiful day. The sun and the silence of the forest left the doe feeling totally calm. Until...
*SNAP*
On hearing the noise the doe perked up her ears and scampered off. She would take no chances with her life.
"Well now you've done it again, Merlin. Can't you keep those big clumsy feet of yours in check and walk with one in front of the other like a normal person?"
Merlin took this criticism with a sigh and attempted an apologetic smile that was filled with goofish hope. "I'm sorry, Arthur." Because of a stupid stick, Merlin had ruined their hunting party. Again.
No longer inspired to continue, they made their way back to Camelot.
Back in Arthur's chambers, Arthur sat at his table waiting for his supper to be brought. As Merlin stood in a corner preparing it, he felt an odd sensation... Like a whispy voice was calling out to him... crying out in suffocation and pain...thousands of voices...then he felt a strong amount of power and then...
*CLATTER*
"Oops, sorry!" Merlin smiled again as he bent down to pick up the gruel he had just dropped all over the stone floor.
"Merlin! Don't you have any talents apart from ruining hunting parties and playing with your food?"
"You have no idea..." Merlin said quietly, meditating on the feelings he had just felt as he bent down to clean up the mess he had made. What had called out to him?
*
If the villagers and shop keepers of Camelot were to look up from their various occupations one fine sunny morning, they would see a traveller in a green cloak, smiling at the villagers, laughing with the children as they ran passed. The traveller continued through the town into the square towards the castle.
In the throne room of Camelot castle, King Uther Penndragon was sitting on his throne when the doors opened and a traveller with a hooded green cloak entered and bowed before him.
"State your name and business, traveller." Said Uther. The traveller removed the hood to reveal a woman with a head of unnaturally bright red locks of hair, a fair complexion inset with the deepest brown eyes that shone warmly. She smiled at the king.
"Sir, my name is Isolde Branwen. I come from Ireland from King Aindrias Aodhan's court. I am but a traveller in Camelot seeking a place to stay."
"We are on good terms with King Aindrias. How goes he in Ireland?"
"He is very well your highness."
"And what was your business in his court? You do not seem to be a lady for a lady would never travel alone."
"I was apprentice to the court healer. When my services were no longer needed there I came to Camelot, having heard so much about the valiant and just King Uther."
"Is that so?" Uther was enraptured with the girl, who praised him so openly.
"Well, Isolde Branwen, we already have a court healer with an apprentice, but I'm sure he wouldn't object to playing host for a traveller. Can I entreat you to take up lodgings with him? Gaius!" The king called forward the esteemed healer.
"Yes your highness?" Gaius bowed before the king.
"What say you, Gaius to anther apprentice?"
"I would be honoured sire, to learn more about the healing properties from Ireland."
"Excellent, then it is settled."
Isolde and Gaius bowed to the King and walked out together. Merlin, who has remained mute and unillustrated during this transaction, watched the red-headed stranger with great suspicion. True, she was a beauty, but in his experiences, all the beauties who travel through Camelot have proven to be of a more evil nature with ulterior motives to kill the king. Merlin would watch her closely for any signs that she had been the one to initiate the many voices that had cried out to him only days earlier.