Summary: {Pre-Canon-ishish} When the son and daughter of King Rondale, the misleading ruler of Elmondelet, are sent to Camelot for protection, Arthur is enlisted as their protectors, to his own dismay. Cecily and Roland, her 12-year-old brother, are targets of Elmondelet's magic-users who plot to kill the both of them, leaving the kingdom with no heirs.

Meow meow, Good folks! This is a T-rated story, for future plotlines. It takes place a little before the first season, running into the 2nd/3rd. It's a commission-in-progress for a good friend of mine. Anywho, let's get this show on the road, shall we?

Oh yeah, I don't own Merlin, yadayada.

PREMISE

A man with graying blonde hair sits at his desk, furiously scribbling on a piece of parchment. He looks scruffy, with an unshaven face, along with unkempt hair. Although he writes quickly, his swirling script is legible and elegant, his letters remarkably straight.

Uther;

I ask you to do this favor for me. You are my kingdom's greatest ally and my greatest friend, and I trust that you will do this, for me.

In the battle against Magic, I will not lie to you. We, along with the other Kings of the Five Kingdoms, have made many enemies in this uphill battle against sorcery. No matter how many we behead and burn, they will come. We can hunt them like animals, but I have come to realize that we have been gravely mistaken; it is we who are the prey. Those with magic are relentless in their pursuit of a world where they may practice freely, and will stop at nothing.

Cecilia and Roland have been compromised, and I have spies in my kingdom, I know it. They watch my every move and are waiting to sink a knife into my back. I will not go down without a fight, but though my willpower shall never fade, my strength has. I am not the man I used to be.

I will not let these traitorous bastards touch my kin. My wife has already died, long ago. Death will not claim my heirs as long as I breathe. But that which I swear cannot be fulfilled here, in my kingdom. I no longer know who I can trust in Elmondelet, and my recent ventures have told me that.

That is why I send them to you. That is why I must have them in the shelter of Camelot.

My children are all that I have left. Not even my walls, as strong as they may be, can protect them. Under your watchful eye, my precious treasures will flourish.

Roland is 12 years old, and will be turning 13 in a few short months. I hope to be there for his birthday, although I am not sure if my attendance will be possible. He is an exceptional horseman, and I have been training him with the sword for many years now. Please do not be surprised at the levels of his sophistication, he often takes it to offense. My boy also likes to read, and he's very curious, as well. Roland does not throw tantrums, not recently, anyways. He will get along well with your son, and I hope that they will become friends as tight-knit as we are.

Cecilia you already know. She will be coming of age soon, and she is the loveliest flower in the meadow. She carries herself with such grace and elegance, just like her mother. She is beautiful, now more than ever, and I know that she and Arthur have already become familiar with eachother, although that was many years ago. Cecilia has taken up painting in the years that have passed. She isn't fond of swords, although battle is in her blood.

You know that I would protect Arthur as though he were my own. I ask that you reciprocate this, as my ally and my friend.

They depart in a week, and should arrive only a few days after this letter has arrived to you. Good friend, I ask that you do this out of humility on my own behalf.

Ron

The desperate king rolls up the parchment, which he ties onto the leg of a large bird, whose eyes are predatory and bright in the twilit sky. The bird doesn't complain, although it most definitely is not accustomed to the extra weight pulling on its leg. "Go, go," Rondale urges, shooing the bird, which almost falls off the window ledge. "To Camelot!"

Please R&R, it helps me loads! Tell me what should come up soon, O.C. requests, etc; Stay tuned for Chapter 2!