Disclaimer: I own nothing related to BBC's Merlin or any other reference brought up in this story. Updates will be a little slow because, unfortunately, I have to be an adult and work and sometimes I get a block. I hope you all like it; feel free to let me know when I screw anything up.
I didn't know how it happened. I remember going to work that day. I remember going out for my break but realized that I needed a pack of smokes. But I didn't see it coming. All I remembered after that was a loud noise and a sharp pain in my head.
When I woke up, I smelled...manure? I lived in the city so why would I smell that of all things? I started to sit up when the pain came back, shooting up my neck.
"Ow. Fuck." I muttered, settling back down to where I was. What was I even laying on...Straw? Where the hell was I?
"Where did you come from?" a voice asked. I looked up a bit and saw a young man with blue eyes staring at me.
"Can't tell you where I'm from if I don't know where I am." I replied. He chuckled and gently helped me sit against the wall. "Geeze, I wanged my head pretty hard."
"You what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, watching me curiously.
"I banged my head really hard." I tell him, rubbing my neck a bit.
"You talk funny." he said, sitting across from me.
"I'm Merlin." he said, holding out a hand for me to shake. I took it in my own. "Laya.", I replied.
"So, where are you from?" he asked me again. "You are obviously not from around here."
"What makes you say that?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Well, you're not a male but you're dressed like one. Women wear dresses." he said, gesturing to my leggings and cotten t-shirt.
"That's an old world view, there, Merlin. I'm more comfortable like this." Why did his name sound so familiar to me?
"Still doesn't answer my question." he said, standing. "I have to finish my work for Arthur. Can you stand?"
I slowly got to my feet, the pain making me dizzy. "This won't last long." I said, pressing my hand to my forehead.
"Let me see." He took my neck in his hands and felt along it, his eyes flashing gold for a moment. "Better?"
"Y-Yeah." I said, moving my neck experimentally. "Wait..Merlin...where are we?"
"Camelot." he said, giving me an odd look. "How did you get here and not know it?"
"Camelot?!" I said, cutting him off. "The Camelot? You have got to be shitting me!"
"What?" he asked, not getting my meaning.
"Wait...Arthur?" I said, holding up my hand as if he were going to speed past me. "As in King Arthur?"
"Well, he's not the king yet. Bit of a clotpole actually." he said. "Come on, I'll drop you off in my chambers and get you something to help you blend in."
"How the hell did I end up here?" I asked, running my hand through my hair. "I was in home...in the year 2016."
Merlin turned and covered my mouth. "We'll talk about that last statement when we get to my chambers." He let go off my mouth and led me up a flight of stairs.
On the way to his chambers, we passed several people, whom all stared at me. To be fair, I was dressed in modern day clothing from head to toe.
"Through here," Merlin said, opening the door. "Gaius?"
"Merlin? Finished with your chores already?" an old man said, not looking up from his book, his glasses balanced perfectly on his head.
"No. But we have something more important to deal with at the moment."
"Alright, let me find my glasses." he said, standing and turning his back to them.
"I'll go get you that dress. Tell Gaius what you told me." Merlin said, flashing me an awkward smile. I nodded, looking around the room before going over to Gaius and taking them off his head, sliding them onto his face carefully; being I wore glasses myself, I knew how to do it without stabbing him in the eye. "Hello." I said, smiling.
"Oh, hello there." He said, "Thank you for finding these."
"One time, I was reading while I was laying down and forgot that I had mine next to me and rolled over onto them." I said, adjusting my own.
Gaius chuckled. "I do not believe I have seen you around here before. My name is Gaius, I'm the court physician and caretaker for Merlin."
"I'm not from here." I said, smiling softly. "My name is Laya. Merlin told me to tell you about where I'm from."
"Alright, then please." He held out his hand towards the bench. "Tea?"
"Yes, thank you." I said. I could use a good cup of tea about now, my headache was starting to creep back in.
"So, where abouts are you from, Laya."
"The future." I said, deciding to not beat around the bush around it.
"The future?" he asked, sitting down after pouring them both a mug of tea.
"Yes, the year 2016 to be exact." I replied, looking at the man. I could tell that he was a wise man and he didn't try and make me explain anything.
"I can't find the dress," Merlin said, making a short appearance, "I have to see Arthur and try and get him to let me have the day off, but I will find something for you to wear. Just stay here!" I couldn't help but laugh as he tried to be firm.
Gaius looked at me, smiling softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh...he just looked like a puppy."
That statement made the older man laugh.
-Merlin- Merlin- Merlin-
Merlin returned to the chambers about a half an hour later, cursing the futre king under his breath. It wasn't like he asked for the night off often; but he and Gaius had to come up with an identity for Laya. The girl had literally appeared in a flash of light and a loud thud. He had seen the entire thing, as he was mucking out the stables at the time. He knew that magic had a hand in it, how else could it be explained. Not that he could tell Arthur any of that. Upon his return, he found Giaus and Laya laughing as if they were old friends whom had known each other for years. He smiled at his father figure and the girl, sitting at the small table with them, getting himself some tea.
"Ah! Merlin, good," Gaius said, clapping his hands together. "I like this girl alot; we need to figure out what we will tell others."
"Well, we can't tell them that she flew into the stables and into the wall." I said, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. "They'd lock her up and then kill her for thinking she's a witch." I looked at Laya, "Tell us some basic things about you so that we can think of something."
She adjusted the glasses on her face. "Things about me...hmmm...Well, my name is Laya Marie Pent. I'm eighteen and I've lived in the same city with my older brother all of my life. My mother died when I was an infant and my father died almost three years ago. Being that my older brother was nineteen at the time, he was considered an adult and he fought for custody of me." She was quiet for a moment, lost in her own thoughts. I considered pulling her into a hug for a moment before she cleared her throat and continued. "Anyway, I love reading and back home, I go to school for singing and dancing. I also know some other languages. Anything else, feel free to ask me."
"What did you do in your time? Other than schooling...not that I would tell anyone that." I said, with a litttle shrug of my shoulders. Girls didn't go to school here.
"I was a cook and a serving girl." she said, smiling. "I'm quite good at the cooking bit."
Gaius stood, getting ready to prepare dinner for the three of them when I stood, still thinking of whom she would be until she was sent home. "That should be enough to work with for now. We can tell Arthur that Laya, here, is my cousin whom came to visit. That she has nothing to go back to and that my mother could not keep her in Ealdor."
"That should work," Gaius said, covering the strew he was makin with the pot lid. "You both have similarities that would make people believe that you are related. After the conversation we had whilst you were away, I can see that she has the same wit and is just about as stubborn as you, my boy." He smiled and pulled her into a hug. "Welcome to the family, my dear niece." I saw Laya smile as she returned the old man's embrace. "And you, my troublesome nephew," I lifted my gaze to him, "Take care of her whilst she is visiting." He raised his eyebrows until I smiled and nodded. "As for her return home, perhaps, you could discuss it with the dragon."
"I hadn't thought of that." I said, with slight awe in my voice.
"Dragon?" Laya asked. "I'm not going to lie. I thought magic was okay here, I mean, Merlin, you are the greatest warlock to ever live...and from the vibe I'm gettting from you both, magic is a major no-no here."
"Magic is forbidden...under the penalty of death." I said, my voice tight. "I have to keep my powers a secret. The only people who know of my talents are Gaius, you and a knight, Lancelot. King Uther is terrified of magic and intends on exterminating it forever. Years ago, he exterminated the dragons near by, except one. The Great Dragon, Kilgharrah, he is chained up underneath the castle."
"Well then, what are we waiting for, let's get this show on the road." Laya said, standing.
"Sorry...what show?" I asked, confused.
"Okay, my acting talents may have to be used around here. Just nudge me or something if I say something weird." she said with a wave of her hand.
"My, I hope you do not bruise easily then, my dear." Gaius said.
I couldn't help myself, I smiled at as she laughed again. "I'm stronger than I look." she said.
"Now then, dear cousin, let's go and try and find something for you to wear so that you...blend in."
Merlin- Merlin- Merlin- Merlin
After what seemed like hours, the two emerged from Merlin's chambers. Merlin looked worn out. "Merlin! That's not much better," Gaius said, crossing his arms over his chest as he took in what Laya was wearing; a pair of breeches and one of Merlin's older tunics, belted at her waist. "What happened to that dress that Gwen left here before?"
"No! No dresses and no skirts! She said, adamently, glaring slightly.
Gaius was taken aback by her outburst and blinked a few times before nodding. "Well, be careful, both of you." He said, returning ot his work.
So, together, Merlin and Laya walked quietly through the castle, avoiding the guards and knights...until they were stopped.
"Merlin!"
"Damn," the young warlock muttered before turning around. "Arthur!"
"I give you the night off, because you say that you have not been feeling well, and here I find you sneaking around with some young boy!" the prince said angerily.
"We were looking for you, actually!" Merlin said, giving the prince a wide smile.
"Boy?" Laya whispered, her eyes narrowing. Merlin had to stop and thank the gods that she still had her back turned and that the prince didn't see or hear her.
"We?" the prince asked, crossing his arms over his chest, still ignoring the 'boy' who didn't turn around. "Who is we, exactly?"
"'We as in: my cousin and I." He said, indicating to Laya. "This is my cousin Laya. Laya, this is Arthur, crowned Prince of Camelot." he said, feeling the anger rolling off the girl in waves. "She's going to be staying with Gaius and I for awhile, seeing as her parents are both deceased and my mother cannot afford to keep her. That is, if you have no objections."
"Laya..."Arthur asked, uncrossing his arms slightly, finally sparing a second glance to the person shaking slightly next to his manservent.
Laya stopped imagining ways to curse the prince and turned, flashing a smile almost identical to Merlin's. "Sire, it is an honor to meet you." she said with her sweetest smile and dropped into a curtsey that would make most noble women jealous.
"Oh...you're..."
"Not a boy." she said, a venomous tone drippping from behind the smile. It made both men falter and take a step back.
"Told you, Lay. Women here do not wear breeches." Merlin said, a smug smiled on his face.
"Bite me, Merlin!" she said, standing tall once again. She looked at them both. "Where I come from, women can wear whatever they damn well please. I find that moving in skirts and dresses, to be a pain in the ass and so I do not wear them!"
Arthur opened his mouth, ready to tell her what he thought when he noticed Merlin rapidly shaking his head behind her.
"And as for you, Prince Arthur!" she said, the anger back in her voice. "You might be royalty but that will not stop me from kicking your royal ass! Look at someone properly or talk to them before you open your mouth."
"Is that a challenge?" Arthur asked, ignoring her final sentance.
"You bet your pampered ass it is!" she said, her fists on her hips.
Merlin, fearing that they were about to fight right there, wedged himself between them.
"Tomorrow then?" Arthur asked, leaning over Merlin.
"Sounds like a plan to me." She repiled with a smirk.
"Now, cousin, about the rest of that tour that I promised." Merlin said, taking her hand.
"Wait, cousin," she said, unmoving. "Our prince here has not yet set what the challenge is to be."
"Just not anything to the death, please, mother would kill me." Merlin whimpered, looking at them both.
"She's not a knight, Merlin, nor is she from another royal family, so to the death would be out of the question. How about more like a tournament? A little of everything with some tweaks so that no one gets seriously harmed." Arthur said, walking around them. "How about a horserace, some sword play and then archery."
"But you're terrible at archery." Merlin said, raising his eyebrow.
"Well, I have to let her win something." he said, obviously amused.
"This all sounds good to me." Laya said, shrugging her shoulders. "Come along, Merlin, I'd like to see the castle. Until tomorrow, Prince Arthur."
She turned, practically dragging Merlin down the hallway.
"Oh, and Merlin..." The two stopped; Merlin turning back to his master. "Just because your cousin is visiting, does not mean that you can forget your chores."
"Yes, Arthur." Merlin replied as he led Laya around the corner.
Once they were far enough away from Arthur, Merlin looked at Laya with awe and confusion. "You have a death wish, I see. Good to know, now I know I have to look after Arthur and you."
"Please, Merlin, I wouldn't have taken his challenge if I didn't think I could handle it. I'll have you know, I've been riding since I was small, my brother had an obession with swords, so I learned that as well, and as for archery, I was the top in my class. Arthur might have been trained for all this but I have a natural talent."
"Talent?" he said, amused at the thought of Arthur losing to her.
"Yes," she said, smirking impishly. "My brother has a scar on his shoulder to prove it."
-Merlin- Merlin- Merlin-
After a few more turns and flights of steps and letting a few of the guards see them, in case Arthur asked; they finally reached Kilgharrah's rock under the castle. Merlin called out to him as Laya looked around before looking over the jagged cliff. They heard the wings of the dragon coming towards them; Merlin's eyes widened and he pulled Laya back just as Kilgharrah flew up the gap that she was leaning over two minutes prior.
"Holy fuck!" she yelled, stumbling back into Merlin a bit.
"Yeah, he's good at that." Merlin said with a chuckle.
Laya had to admit; Kilgharrah's wing span was impressive and it was amazing to watch.
"Hello, young warlock. It has been awhile." the dragon said upon landing.
"It talks..." Laya said, her knees giving out. "Merlin...It talks..."
"I should have warned you about that..." Merlin said, patting her head in a soothing manner.
"Yes, young one, he should have." Kilgharrah said, offering his claw towards her, allowing her to sit there. "He's a bit slow that way."
"Right here, you know." Merlin said, holding his arms out.
Kilgharrah ignored him, holding his claw up by his nose, so that he could see Laya more clearly. "You are out of place here, young one." he said, with a smirk in his voice.
"Ya think?" she asked, her hands at her hips yet again. "My name is Laya Pent and I somehow came here from the future. We were hoping that you'd know how to send me back."
"You were sent here for a reason," Kilgharrah said, setting her down next to Merlin again. "I'm afraid that I cannot help you until your time here is done, when that time comes, no one can stop it. You will fall asleep surrounded by those who care about you and wake up with the one who worries the most."
"Well, that means that I'll wake up next to my brother." she said, playing with her hands. "He must be worried about me already."
Merlin had sensed the fear in her voice and wrapped his arms around her. "We'll get you back to him, I promise."
"Yes, young warlock, you will. It has been seen." the dragon said, sitting on his hind legs.
"Seen?" Laya asked, "You know about my time?"
"I know of all times," Kilgharrah said. "You come from a time where magic creatures like Merlin and myself exist only in story books. There are few who believe in it but do not see it. Then there are older ones who believe that it never existed at all."
Laya nodded, thinking of the books she read as a child. "Then, do you know what happened to me in my world? I mean, I know that getting hit by a truck doesn't normally send people back in time, at least not physically."
"I do. You are safe in that time, merely sleeping."
"I'm in a coma, got it." she said, running her fingers though her hair. "My brother is gonna kill me when I wake up...if he doesn't decide to end it."
"He can not think of that," Kilgharrah said, and neither can you."
Laya nodded again.
"Now all we have to do, is bide our time," Merlin said, smiling again. "Tomorrow you face Arthur. Who knows, maybe he'll give you a position in the castle for besting him."
"Joy." she replied, sarcastically, causing the warlock and the dragon to laugh.
"Oh, this shall be amusing." the dragon said, before extending his wings again. "Farewell, young ones." He took off, leaving them both in awe.
"That was awesome!" Laya exclaimed, bouncing like a small child, clutchin at Merlin's hand.
Merlin ruffled her hair affectionately, leading her back out of the tunnels. As they walked, a thought struck him; if she was going to be there for awhile, where was she going to sleep? The only available cot in Gaius' chambers was taken by a serving girl at the moment. That would leave her to sleep with either Gaius or Merlin, himself. He didn't really see a reason why she couldn't share his bed, until he could ask Arthur for one of her own. They were meant to be cousins and Merlin preferred men over women. Not that many people knew that. He made it known to her as he discussed the living situations with her. She could wear his breeches and old tunics, he had plenty of them both. She agreed but warned him that she liked to cuddle. That was fine by him, as he was the same way and always ended up snuggling his pillow.
It had been awhile since he had someone to cuddle with.