Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin only the fictional characters I create.


Introduction

No young man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. He cannot glimpse his part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot. A boy that will, in time, father a legend. His name...Merlin.

Merlin enters Camelot and gazes at the town in awe before heading to the citadel. Where upon arriving he sees king Uther executing a man accused of using sorcery.

After the execution king Uther says "When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos. But with the people's help, magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate 20 years since the great dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin."

A wail echoes in the courtyard as Mary Collins makes her presence known and says "There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic. It is YOU... With your hatred and your ignorance. You took my son! And I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. And a son for a son."

King Uther commands the nearby guards to seize her but she escapes using a teleportation spell and jewel combo. Causing Uther to storm inside angrily.

Merlin then precedes to go to Gaius' chambers with help from the signs and guards. Upon entering he doesn't immediately spot Gaius, so goes further into the room and sees him up on the balcony. Merlin calls out to him, startling him and causes Gaius to lean back against the balcony railing which causes the balcony to break and him to fall. Merlin uses his magic to slow down time and move Gaius' bed beneath him to catch him.

Gaius says "What the...? What did you just do?" while getting up of the bed.

"That was me doing what comes naturally to me" says Merlin.

"Naturally?" says Gaius curiously.

"Yep, I was born that way" Merlin responds.

"Hmm, that's interesting. So who are you?" says Gaius.

"I'm Merlin" Merlin responds.

"Hunith's son, so I take its already Wednesday" asks Gaius.

"Yep, mother wanted you to have this letter by the way" says Merlin handing Gaius a letter.

"Thanks, your rooms up the stairs" says Gaius pointing behind him. "Oh and by the way thank you for saving my life."

Merlin smiles and says "Your welcome." Then precedes to go up the stairs to his room.

Later that night finds Merlin looking out his window and gazing at Camelot in awe. While in Gaius' main chamber, Gaius reads Hunith's letter before turning in.

Morgana stares at the courtyard from a windowed hallway near the banquet hall.

Uther approaches Morgana and asks why shes not at the feast with everyone else. Morgana tells him she does not think killing a man is cause for a celebration.

Uther says "It was simple justice for what he'd done."

"To whom?", "He practised magic. He didn't hurt anyone" responds Morgana.

Uther responds with "You were not around 20 years ago. You have no idea."

Morgana counters with "How long will you punish people for what happened then?"

Uther responds with "Until they realise there is no room for magic in my kingdom, you will be with me when I greet Lady Helen." Before heading back to towards the banquet.

Morgana counters with "I want no part in this." Causing Uther to stop and turn round and approach her.

Uther says "I am your guardian. I expect you to do as I ask. If you show me no respect, at least respect our finest singer." before walking back to the banquet hall.

Morgana calls after him saying "The more brutal you are, the more enemies you'll create." Morgana turns back to look at the courtyard.

In the forest near Camelot Lady Helen and her party are bedding down for the night. Lady Helen is sitting in her tent at her table plaiting her hair when she is startled by a rustling noise and a distant howl. She calls out to Gregory to see if everything is alright out side. Gregory arrives at the entrance to the tent and asks "Lady Helen."

Lady Helen says "Is all well?"

Gregory responds with "Yes. With luck, we'll reach Camelot tomorrow."

Lady Helen responds "That's good."

"I'm outside if you need me."

Gregory hears a twig snapping near the side of Lady Helen's tent and goes to investigate drawing his sword as he does.

Meanwhile back in the tent Lady Helen is washing her face before she goes to bed, when she hears a twig snapping outside and a female shadow approaching the tent entrance. She looks to the tent entrance and sees Mary Collins appear there and starts to stand up. Mary Collins starts chanting a spell while holding a straw doll in one hand and a dagger in the other stabbing it three time each repeat of the spell killing Lady Helen who's body collapses onto her bed. Mary Collins then goes and sits at the table and chants another spell to take on the appearance of Lady Helen but when she looks in the hand mirror she'd pick up of the table Mary Collins' face is shown instead.

Then next morning Merlin awakens after hearing a ominous voice calling Merlin's name repeatedly. Merlin gets dressed and joins Gaius in the main chamber.

"Well we'd better keep you out of trouble. You can help me until I find some paid work for you. Here - hollyhock and feverfew for Lady Percival" says Gaius placing the medication on the table, "And this is for Sir Olwen. He's as blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once." "And hear." says Gaius offering his sandwich to Merlin as Merlin picks up the medicine. Merlin picks up the sandwich and heads for the door. Gaius calls after him telling him not to get into trouble or use magic. Using the staff and guards as guilds to find the patients the medicine belongs to and eating the sandwich, Merlin delivers the medication.

Afterwards Merlin decides to explore outside of the citadel and sees Arthur picking on his servant. Merlin decides to intervene and tells Arthur off. Which Arthur doesn't appreciate. Arthur state that as the prince Merlin has no right to tell him off. Merlin smiles and says "As the heir to the throne of Albion I actually do." Merlin then walks of to continue exploring Camelot leaving a shocked Arthur behind.

Later that night Mary Collins in her disguise of Lady Helen arrives at Camelot and is escorted to the king who is delighted to see Lady Helen, they talk a little before retiring.

The next day Merlin awakens again to a ominous voice calling Merlin's name repeatedly. Merlin then does Gaius' medicine run for him again after eating some soup and learning from Gaius about the purge and the great dragon. while in Mary Collins room Merlin notices a spell book and the straw doll used to kill the real Lady Helen before leaving and returning to Gaius' chambers. Before heading into the lower town where he meets Gwen while exploring the market and she introduces her and tells in he was very brave to stand up to Arthur. Unfortunately Gwen has to return to her duties not long after that so they part ways. A little while later Merlin runs into Arthur again where Arthur questions him about how he knows he's Ambrose Ambrosius' Heir. Merlin smirks and say "Because of my families hidden library." He then spots Gaius nearby and joins him in heading back to the castle.

Later that night find Uther dinning with Mary Collins and Merlin being awoken by a ominous voice again and this time he decides to follow the voice down to the dungeons where he uses his magic to distract the guards and go further down to the caves beneath the castle. Where he meets the great dragon and said dragon tells him his destiny and Arthur's to unite Albion, before he flies of. Merlin returns to his room and goes back to bed.

Gaius comes in the next morning to wake Merlin up and complains about the mess that is his room. Gaius tells Merlin to tidy his room without magic and get him some herbs called Henbane, Wormwood and Sorrel and deliver to Lady Morgana her medication for nightmares. Merlin heads out to Morgana's chambers to deliver her medication, where upon he gets mistaken for Gwen by Morgana. Thankfully Gwen arrives not long after Morgana disappears behind the changing screen. Which allows Merlin to escape and go get the herbs Gaius wanted.

Later that evening a servant takes Mary Collins a bowl of fruit courtesy of the king. Mary lets the servant in and said servant places the bowl down on the table and stoke up the fire before leaving.

Later that night Gaius and Merlin arrive at the banquet hall to await Mary Collins performance not long after the Lady Morgana arrives, the king arrives and makes a speech about 20 years without magic and has brought the kingdom and himself many pleasures and how its a honour to introduce Lady Helen of Mora before taking his seat.

Mary Collins starts sing beautifully in a mystical language which slowly puts everyone save Merlin to sleep, which Mary fails to notice so intent on approaching Arthur and using her concealed dagger on him as she is. Merlin takes the opportunity to drop the chandelier on her head stopping her, which has the added bonus of waking everyone up. Uther notice the chandelier on the floor with a trapped and dying Mary Collins under it. Mary stirs and grabs the dagger and throws it with all her might at Arthur. Merlin uses his power to slow down time to get to Arthur in time and pull his out of the way before normal time resumes. Merlin and Arthur get to their feet as Uther approaches and the king thanks Merlin for saving his son's life and rewards him with the job position as Arthur's manservant before he walks of leaving a shock Arthur and Merlin behind.

Later that night in Gaius' quarters Gaius enters Merlin's room with a book of magic for Merlin to help him protect the prince while preforming his duties as Arthur's manservant. Merlin promise to study ever word. Merlin and Gaius hear a knock on the main chambers door and a guard call out that Arthur needs Merlin to attend to him right away. Merlin smiles before heading out to attend Arthur.


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