Hi, this is my first fanfic. I tried for ages to get it right but in the end I thought if I don't get it up now I never will. Don't like don't read, though I hope you do like it. Please review it would be great to have some feedback. I'll try and update as regularly as I can. Enjoy!
It was a few weeks after Gwen became Queen, and life had not changed that much in Camelot for Merlin. He was still close friends with Gwen even though she was a royal and he was a servant. Just as the knights thought of him as a brother, that they had to look out for because he was weaker than them. Most of them had become knights because of Merlin, and although they fought for the King and Camelot their loyalty was also to Merlin. Arthur felt the same as them, not that he'd ever admit it to anyone, least of all Merlin.
Arthur was going through a difficult time at the moment. King Everard was continuing the fight over the lands that his Kingdom lost in Uther's reign, even though they had come to an agreement many years ago. It wasn't enough for him. He wanted those lands, and thought now Uther had gone the Kingdom would be unstable. Messengers had been back and forth for months. Arthur was just doing everything he could to avoid a war.
This shouldn't have mattered to a servant. Merlin wasn't just a servant though, he was Camelot's protector. Although he kept his secret hidden for now, he hoped he wouldn't have to for much longer. He was tired of lying to everyone. Merlin was worried that someone would find out soon anyway, after all how long until people would start questioning how they always get out of these life and death situations. Even Arthur couldn't be that clueless. He sometimes thought Gwaine was not as ignorant as he pretended to be as well.
He was right in thinking that his life would change soon, but maybe not in the way he thought.
"Merlin." Gaius called from the other side of the wooden door, Merlin turned over in bed moaning into his pillow. It was not long after dawn, and the sun was still rising over Camelot. light still poured into the room through the window. "Merlin you're going to be late." Merlin only got a few hours sleep that night, which made it all the harder to get up.
"Coming." Merlin groaned, pulling on his usual worn out clothes and neckerchief. "God forbid Arthur would have to dress himself." He muttered.
"Percival asked me to remind you, Arthur's having that hunting trip today." Gaius said looking up from his dusty familiar books as Merlin was about to go.
"Why did Percival ask you to remind me, I can remember things you know." Merlin said indignantly. The knights, although they cared about him, were always thinking he couldn't do anything. Probably because he was clumsy and couldn't even hold sword. Still they really didn't know how much he did for them, and not just protecting Camelot, saving their lives and so on. They used to be commoners so they did most of their work themselves, but they had training almost every day now and court meetings. So since they refused to have servants Merlin offered to help out. Which, with all of them, meant he had a lot more work to do. Sometimes being a good friend wasn't easy. He also had Gaius needing help with errands and his duties as Arthur's servant, and did he not mention the saving Camelot. So sometimes he forgot about things, but most times he didn't.
"Did you prepare the horses." Gaius added. Merlin looked confused for a second, before his bright blue eyes lit up in realisation. This wasn't most times.
"Yes." Merlin said, though even he wouldn't have believed it. Gaius raised his eyebrows the way he always did when he thought Merlin was lying. Merlin knew Gaius saw through his weak lie, but he carried on anyway. "I've just got to go to the stables for something else." Merlin said leaving Gaius's chambers. Gaius sighed looking back at his books.
Merlin was an hour late by the time he got to Arthur's chambers, he was still yawning. "Rise and shine." He called with a grin on his face.
"Merlin how good of you to turn up." Arthur was standing beside his bed with his arms crossed.
"You're dressed." Merlin said, with a shocked look on his face.
"I am capable of getting dressed without you Merlin." Arthur said turning around to get his sword, as he did so you could see that he had his shirt on inside out. Merlin struggled to stop himself laughing. As he thought about just how helpless Arthur was without him.
"What is so funny Merlin?" Arthur said turning back to Merlin frowning, and sheathing his sword.
"No, there isn't... I'm just going to get the horses." Merlin said grinning. Of course he wouldn't tell him, wouldn't want to wound his pride. Besides he was sure one of the knights would point it out to him.
"Idiot." Arthur said trying to seem annoyed.
"Prat." Merlin said before dodging the vase Arthur threw at him. Merlin smiled to himself. Arthur's aim always seemed to get worse when he was around.
Merlin ran a few errands for Gaius, before he went to the courtyard where Gwaine and Percival were already with their horses. He passed Arthur who was saying goodbye to Gwen on the courtyards stone steps, they were holding hands and kissing. Gwen really looked like a queen with her deep blue gown and silver jewellery, though she didn't need all that to look like a queen to Merlin. He'd thought of her as one for years.
"Merlin."Gwaine called. Percival nodded at him smiling, he never did say much. Merlin knew that some people thought that because he was quiet he was dim. That couldn't have been further from the truth, Merlin had heard him say some very wise things. People just didn't take the time to talk to him.
"Gwaine." Merlin said yawning.
"Why so tired my friend?" Gwaine asked.
"I got no sleep last night, and why do we have to leave so early?" Merlin groaned. Gwaine just grinned at him. He knew whenever Merlin was moaning about something he was alright, it's when he stops moaning you have to worry. Merlin would never tell you if there was actually something wrong.
"Princess." Gwaine called, as Arthur came up to them. Knowing how much it annoyed him.
"Gwaine, I've told you not to call me that." Arthur said angrily.
"I'd call you Queen, but I wouldn't want to insult Gwen." Gwaine said. Arthur just sighed, knowing he was fighting a losing battle with Gwaine. He was never going to do as he was told, much like Merlin.
"Leon, Elyon we have to get going so we can get some hunting in before nightfall." Arthur called, as Leon and Elyon came over from the training field. "But we probably won't catch anything anyway with Merlin there."
"What was your excuse before I came along?" Merlin muttered as he mounted his horse.
When they set off into the forest, Merlin had no idea of how his life was about to change.
Tabitha and Tom sat on the edge of the grass underneath the blazing sunset, which was mirrored in the lakes waters. Everything had a calm stillness to it. Tabitha, with her warm honey coloured hair and bright green eyes hugged her knees. She wore an azure blue jumper, with deep blue shorts and see through tights. She also had black slip on shoes. Tabitha had only been at University for a year, and had met Tom in a class a few months ago. All their friends had thought there was something going on. They were just friends though.
Tabitha was going to be a P.E teacher, and she trained every day. Even went jogging in the mornings. Running wasn't her sport though, it was fencing. She had joined the fencing club when she came to the University, and was competing in national events in a matter of months. She was confident in her abilities and had a right to be.
"... So I'm going to my cousins wedding next week, and I don't want to go on my own. Would you like to come?" Tabitha asked.
"Yeah, I'd love to." Tom smiled. "I've not got anything on."
"Thanks, but I'd persuade you to cancel it if you did." Tabitha said, returning the smile.
"You probably would actually. I've got something for you by the way." Tom said getting something out his pocket. Tabitha saw it was a bracelet, it was gold with intricate patterns. There was an amber stone in the middle that burned like the sunset that hung over them. Leaving Tabitha almost breathless.
"Oh, Tom it's stunning. Where did you get it." Tabitha said as he gave it to her. Neither of them had that much money. The bracelet was heavy though, almost as if it was made from actual gold. It couldn't be though.
"I found it." Tom began. "In the attic when I was trying to find those books for Amy."
"Who'd leave this in an attic?" Tabitha asked, speaking more to herself than to Tom.
"I don't know, you could wear it to the wedding." Tom said.
"I will." Tabitha gave Tom a friendly hug. "Thanks."
"It's alright." Tom said smiling. "I've got to go now, I have that lecture remember. Will you be alright?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Don't worry I'll be fine, I'll see you later in the hall." Tabitha said.
"Bye." Tom got up and made his way back up to the university.
Tabitha watched him walk away, before turning back to her bracelet. She slipped it onto her wrist. Usually she hated jewellry, but she couldn't help admire this. Suddenly a warmth began to spread through her, and the stone almost seemed to burn brighter. Tabitha yawned. She had got up early that morning, but she didn't think she should feel this tired already. Tabitha's eyelids felt heavy. Her head fell forward, and her eyes began to close. The bracelet getting warmer. Until the darkness took over.
Tabitha blinked, opening her eyes just enough to see. Not properly awake. She felt the autumn leaves rustling underneath her on the forest floor, and the rough bark of the tree she was leaning against. Sunlight seeped through the trees and onto the faces in front of her. They didn't seem to realise Tabitha was coming around yet.
"Who do you think she could be?" Asked a man. She could only just make him out, he had short dark hair and bright blue eyes. He had worn out clothes and a red neckerchief.
"How am I supposed to know Merlin?" Asked a man in annoyance. He had short, blonde hair, and wore armour. He was also wearing a crest on red material and had sheathed sword.
"I don't know, I was only asking."
"She could be on her way to Camelot." Said a man with long dark hair, also wearing armour like the man before.
"Why would she come alone without anything with her?"
"You can ask her, she's waking up."
Tabitha's bright green eyes opened wide, as she woke up properly. Realising it wasn't a dream, everything came into focus. Now she could see there were more men behind them.
"Don't worry, you're safe. I'm Arthur King of Camelot, these are my knights; Gwaine, Leon, Percival and Elyon. And that's Merlin." Arthur said. Merlin gave her a reassuring smile. "What's your name?" He asked.
"Um." Tabitha began in a higher voice than she meant to. It was all she could get out, even though she had so many things to ask. Tabitha had no idea what was going on, how did she get here? What Arthur said was giving her more questions than answers. Trying to keep herself from panicking she said. "I'm Tabitha."
"Sire we don't know anything about her, she could be a sorceress." Said Leon. "You should be wary of her."
"What?" Tabitha asked even higher, with panic and anger. Even though she didn't understand what she was being accused it didn't make her any less indignant. "Leon we don't make accusations like that." Arthur said. "She's probably just a ordinary commoner."
"What?" Tabitha asked much like before, pushing herself up. She forget immediately that he was standing up for her when he called her a commoner. Did he think he was above her because he claimed to be a King? He wasn't a King, and even if he was he didn't have the right to talk to her like that. As if she wasn't even there. Tabitha didn't usually get angry this quickly it was probably the panic. It took a lot of self control to stop herself shouting at Arthur, because he probably wouldn't tell her what was going on if she did. He seemed to arrogant, and she needed answers. "Where am I?" Tabitha asked her voice slightly more controlled.
"In a forest." Merlin said.
Tabitha just looked at him with exasperation. He was no help either. "Really, I would never have guessed. What with all the trees." She said sarcastically. Gwaine let out a laugh and Arthur smirked.
"You're in the forest of Camelot, a few miles from the East border." Arthur said.
"Camelot...?" Tabitha began, before stopping in thought. "And you're...?" She added to Arthur.
"Arthur, Arthur Pendragon King of Camelot." Arthur said confused, he had just told her.
"King Arthur... Camelot and the knights of the round table...and Merlin." Tabitha said saying her thoughts out loud. She stopped herself, what was she thinking. "What's going on? Am I at some kind of festival?"
"How do you know about the round table?" Gwaine asked.
"Where did you get your bracelet from?" Merlin asked, Tabitha only just realised he'd been looking at her wrist for a long time. At the bracelet with the amber stone in it.
"What are you talking about Merlin?" Arthur asked confused.
"Your bracelet." Merlin said to Tabitha, ignoring Arthur. "You've got to take it off."
"Why." Tabitha asked indignantly.
"Trust me." Merlin said looking into her eyes.
Tabitha wouldn't have taken it off usually, but she did. Because even though she'd known Merlin for all of five minutes. She trusted him. People usually had to earn her trust. She couldn't explain it, there was something about him. Tabitha pulled off the bracelet throwing it to Merlin. Who clumsily dropped it, before picking it up and almost dropping it again. Arthur rolled his eyes, looking like he was fighting to keep himself from commenting.
"Where did you get it?" Merlin asked again.
"I was given it by a friend. He found it." Said Tabitha slghtly defensively.
"Why does her bracelet matter?" Arthur asked getting frustrated.
"It's not just a bracelet. It's an amber fire stone. " Merlin said, turning it over in his hands. "I read about it in one of Gaius's books." Merlin didn't say that he came across it while looking for the eye of the phoenix, the bracelet that Morgana gave Arthur before his quest to find the fisher Kings trident.
"Merlin there may be use for you yet." Arthur said, before asking seriously. "Is it Magic?"
"What's an amber fire stone?" Tabitha asked, before turning to Arthur realising what he had just said. "Wait Magic?"
"Yes." Merlin said answering Arthur.
"Wait What?" Tabitha asked her voice getting higher again.
"What does the bracelet do?" Elyion asked.
"Sorry, do I exist? can you hear me?" Tabitha asked sarcasticly, in frustration. Why they were going on about magic. Which Tabitha knew didn't exist,of course.
"Whoever wears the bracelet goes back into the past, they could only go back a few weeks. Or they could go further." Merlin said. "I think that's what happened, Tabitha what did you want to know."
"What you're talking about. Magic doesn't exist." Tabitha said stubbornly. "And even if it did you wouldn't be able to go into the past." Though even as she said it she thought about how even she had thought that a minute ago, before telling herself it couldn't be true. Which of course it couldn't. Could it?
Merlin was about to say something when Gwaine said. "Is it just me or is that thing glowing." They all turned to the bracelet in Merlin's hand, and he dropped it onto the autumn leaves. The stone was now burning with a dazzling fire, Tabitha watched with wide eyes. It seemed to get brighter and brighter, until it irrupted into a showering amber mist.
The knights stepped back. Merlin pushed Tabitha behind him, before realising the mist was harmless. They were all in stunned silence for a moment. As the mist cleared they could see the bracelet had disappeared.
"Your right magic doesn't exist." Gwaine said. Tabitha was too astonished to say anything back.
"You could of told us that was going to happen." Arthur said to Merlin in annoyance.
"It shouldn't have. It had to have used a lot of power." Merlin said. He turned to Tabitha. "How far into the past have you come."
Tabitha was still staring at the place where the bracelet used to be. Not looking away from it, she said. "If you're who I think you are around one thousand five hundred years."
"One thousand five hundred years?" Gwaine asked incredulously.
Everyone was looking at her in disbelief. She didn't know what to think. Her mind and her eyes were telling her different things, this couldn't be happening. How else did she end up here though. She looked up at Merlin, again trying to hide the panic in her voice. "How do I get back to my time, now the bracelets destroyed."
"I don't know." Merlin said, he turned to Arthur. "We should get her back to Camelot, Gaius will know what to do."
Arthur nodded. "Forget about the hunt.. " Arthur said to the them. "Let's get ready to go. Merlin get your horse." When they had heard a crash in the forest, they left Merlin's horse there because it bolted easily. That's when they found Tabitha. They went about their orders. The knights going over to their horses, and Merlin into the woods. Tabitha stood there for a second, before going after Merlin. She could walk with him, instead of standing around uselessly with the knights.
They were out of sight by the time she could see Merlin. They were still in the trees and the river was out of sight. Merlin couldn't hear Tabitha over the sound of leaves rustling, and the wind sweeping the treetops.
"Merlin." Tabitha called, Merlin turned around quickly. Tabitha gasped as she saw something that couldn't possibly happen, then again she'd seen two of them today. Merlin's eyes, even if it was only for a moment, had flashed a dazzling gold. They then returned to his usual piercing blue. She thought for a second it might have been a trick of the light, but by the look of panic on Merlin's face it hadn't been. "Your eyes." She breathed.
"Please don't tell Arthur." Merlin said desperately, not trying to hide the fear from his voice.
"You're what a sorcerer?" Asked Tabitha. Shocked by how easily that came to her. She was less stunned than Merlin expected her to be, then he remembered she didn't know about the laws. Or how hated and feared magic was. She didn't even think it existed.
"Yes." Merlin said.
"Why don't you want Arthur to know?" Tabitha asked. Merlin didn't know exactly what to say, he had never been asked that. Anyone that ever found out never needed to ask.
"This will take a while." Merlin said sighing. "Magic is against the law, it has been for years. It started with Arthur's father Uther. He lost someone close to him because of magic, and he became bitter. He took it out on magic. Anyone with magic was executed, or had to watch the people they loved die. They either stayed hidden in fear or tried to get revenge on Uther, because of that Arthur has only seen evil sorcerers trying to destroy Camelot. So even though Uther is dead the law is still the same and if he found out who I am now he'd think I'd betrayed him." Merlin finished.
"So, that's why you don't want him to know." Tabitha said.
"Please don't tell him." Merlin said looking deep into her eyes, as if he was looking right into her soul. Tabitha hadn't noticed before but you could still see a glint of gold in his eyes. Even though he wasn't using magic. She then realised she didn't know how long she'd been staring at him. Tabitha looked away.
"Of course I won't tell him, it's your secret to tell." Tabitha said.
"Thanks." Merlin said, smiling and letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"It's alright." Tabitha said, she couldn't help returning the smile. "Why were you using magic anyway?"
"It might take a while to explain it." Merlin said. "We should get back. I'll tell you later." Tabitha was going to argue, but he was probably right. They had been gone a while.
So they went to the river, it was a valley. Sunlight reflected off the azure waves. It was so peaceful with the sound of rushing waters, and crickets chirping. Tabitha almost wanted to stay there, though she knew she couldn't. They both made their way back through the trees, this time with Merlin's horse.
"Where have you been?" Arthur asked.
Tabitha and Merlin looked at each other. "We got lost." Tabitha said, before Merlin could.
"Of course you did." Arthur muttered mounting his horse. "Idiot."
"He meant me." Merlin said quickly when he saw Tabitha's face. Merlin went up to his horse, before looking back at Tabitha. "Coming?"
"On a horse?" Tabitha asked. "I've never ridden a horse in my life." The knights looked at each other.
"It's the only way to get back to Camelot." Leon said. "Unless you want to walk."
"Alright, but if I fall and die I'm blaming you." Tabitha said going over to Merlin.
"Sorry Tabitha." Arthur said. "It's Merlin you're going to fall off."
"You can always come on my horse." Gwaine said with a charming smile, the other knights rolling their eyes.
"I'll take my chances." Tabitha said, as Merlin helped her onto the horse.
It didn't take to long to get back to Camelot, but still Tabitha did well considering she had never ridden a horse. On the way she heard Arthur and Merlin's banter. She was starting to think he was alright, after all he was letting his servant talk back to him. Even if he was calling him an idiot.
The knights asked her a few questions about her time, but they seemed to be avoiding it. Probably because they didn't want to upset her. Tabitha decided she liked them, they made her laugh despite what was going on. She found herself going back to ordinary Tabitha, that was over confident, sarcastic and smiled all the time. They made her forget just for awhile.
When they got to Camelot Tabitha was almost speechless, it was more than she thought it would be. The castle towered over her. It was getting dark when they got back though, so the knights and Arthur said goodnight and that they hoped Gaius could help. Apart from Gwaine who said he hoped she'd have to stay. Tabitha smiled and said goodnight back.
Merlin lead Tabitha to Gaius's chambers. "Gaius." Merlin called out opening the door to find Gaius writing a letter.
"Merlin." Gaius began not looking up. "I need you to give this to Mr stone, he's..." Gaius stopped when he saw Tabitha behind Merlin at the doorway. He seemed to be hoping Merlin hadn't gotten himself into anything. Again.
"Who's this?" Gaius asked.
"This is Tabitha." Merlin said, he briefly explained what had happened earlier. Gaius didn't even blink when Merlin told him what happened. Tabitha was astonished that he believed him without question. She wondered if things like this happened a lot around here.
"Let's find that book we read then." Gaius said. Merlin nodded going over to the shelf, while Gaius offered Tabitha a seat.
Merlin got the book down and put it on the table trying to find the page with the amber fire stone, he did and gave the book to Gaius. Who read it before looking up at Tabitha, his eyes wide. Tabitha's started breathing faster, not sure if that was good or not.
"Do you know anything else about it." Merlin asked. He didn't think there was much to go on in the book.
"Not much is written about fire stones, they are very rare. I've never heard of them before." Gaius looked back at the book. "They take a lot of power to use, a very powerful sorcerer must have enchanted this."
"Do you know how I can get back to my own time?" Tabitha asked hopefully.
"No, I'm sorry. There is nothing written about a way back." Gaius said. Tabitha's face fell.
"There must be something." Merlin said quickly, seeing how upset Tabitha looked. "Gaius is there anything I can do, with my magic." Gaius looked between them, before closing the book and hitting Merlin over the head with it.
"Ow, Gaius she knows." Merlin said, trying to defend himself.
"Why did you tell her?" Gaius said hitting him with the book again.
"Ow, I didn't tell her. She found out. Stop hitting me." Merlin said, getting behind Tabitha.
"Why aren't you more careful." Gaius said slamming the book on the table. "You are going to be the end of me Merlin. After all these years you still can't keep secrets. I don't know how Arthur hasn't found out about you."
"I'm sorry alright, and it's not like everyone knows." Merlin said. If you think of how many people that could have found out about him he was doing very well. "Is there anything I can do though?"
"I know as much as you do." Gaius said sighing, he looked at Tabitha. "The druids may know more." Gaius said.
"They don't." Merlin pulled out the chair beside Tabitha, and put his head in his hands.
"How do you know?" Gaius asked.
"That's how Tabitha found out about me. I was trying to ask the druids about what had happened, with my mind. They were far away though so I had to use magic..." Merlin had been seeing more of the druids, particularly a camp near Camelot in the forest.
"That's why your eyes were gold." Tabitha interrupted.
"Yes, it took a while to get the message to them, but I heard back from them on the way back to Camelot. Even they hadn't heard of an amber Firestone." Merlin said.
"There's no hope then." Tabitha said her voice breaking.
"There's always hope." Gaius said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I'm afraid I must go, I still have duties to attend to. Good night Tabitha. I want you to know how sorry I am that I couldn't have been of more help." He went over to the door.
"It's alright Gaius, night." Tabitha said, but she couldn't hide the disappointment. You could see she was holding back tears.
"I'm not going to ask if your alright." Merlin said.
"I can handle it, I am alright." Tabitha said wiping tears away from her eyes, blinking. She gave him a fake smile.
"You don't have to keep it together you know." Merlin said. "Not for me." Tabitha never let herself cry, not unless she was with close friends. She didn't like being seen as weak. So she hid it, just like Merlin did everyday. So when he looked into her eyes he could see past all that, to how afraid she was.
"Yes, I do." Tabitha said quietly. She didn't say anything else, and though Merlin wanted to talk to her about it he didn't push her. "Where do I sleep?" Tabitha asked.
"Arthur gave you a chamber in the East wing, I'll take you." Merlin said, Tabitha nodded. Merlin took her to her chamber, and though she was talking to him you could tell her mind was taken up with something else. As you would expect. She was taking all that better than most would though.
"Can I just say?" Merlin began when they were at her door. "Thank you for not telling Arthur, for trusting me. It means a lot."
"No worries." Tabitha said. "Probably need as many friends as I can get."
"You're not alone, you know." Merlin said, Tabitha nodded. "Bye." Merlin said smiling.
"See you." Tabitha said returning the smile, when she closed the door behind her her smile fell. She missed Merlin. He'd only been gone a few seconds, it probably wasn't that she missed Merlin. She just didn't want to be alone. Tabitha sighed, leaning her head against the door.
Tabitha couldn't keep it together any more, she felt tears begin to fall from from her eyes. She got onto the bed and hugged her pillow. Like she had six months ago, when her parents had split up. It felt like a part of her life had died, but now it was like her entire life was over. She had never felt so afraid. Last time she was like this she called Tom, and he had told her everything she wanted to hear. That it would get better. That he'd be there for her. Where was he now. Merlin was wrong, she was alone.
What if she never got back to her own time? What about her family? Tabitha had an older brother called Matt, and a younger sister called June. She loved Tabitha more than anyone. When Tabitha wasn't at University she took her to London, for the Musicals. Even as Tabitha thought of it she cried harder. She was supposed to take June to the aquarium after the wedding, they were going to visit Matt while they were there. She'd also get to see her parents when she dropped off June. What if she never saw them again? Or Tom? Would they ever know what happened to her?
It was all to much to think about. She didn't know what time it was, but it had been dark outside for a long time. There was no moon. There were bright stars in the sky though, moon-splashing Camelot in light. She didn't know that not to far away there was someone else lying in bed staring into the night. Thinking, just as she was, how their life wasn't how it was supposed to be. Merlin just wanted things to change, though what he didn't know was they already had. Eventually her eyes began to close. Then Tabitha fell into dreamless sleep.
Thank you so much for reading :) Next chapter will come soon. Please review:) :) :)