Authour's Note: I don't own Merlin, sadly, BBC does. I rated this T just to be safe, but kissing (and maybe some implied sex), and a few battle scenes are the worst that's gonna happen. Pairings in this story: Merlin/Morgana Arthur/Gwen No slash. Please review. :) I am always eager for constructive criticism.
I have lived in Camelot for a little over a year now. I am the Greatest Sorcerer in all of Albion. I also happen to be manservant to the biggest prat in all of Camelot—Prince Arthur.
It's actually not that bad. He is a clotpole, but he does treat me well, for a dollophead. Anyway, it is my job to protect him. We are, as the Great Dragon put it, "Two sides of the same coin." And it is my "destiny to protect Arthur and see that the land of Albion is established in which there will be peace for all and magic will be free." Oh, yeah, magic is illegal in Camelot. Convenient for the prince's warlock manservant.
I've nearly gotten killed on multiple occasions. But that's not the worst of it. One of my recent rants to Gaius sums up my life for the past year pretty well. "I haven't had a chance to sit around and do nothing since the day I arrived in Camelot! I'm too busy running around after Arthur! Do this, Merlin! Do that, Merlin! And when I'm not running around after Arthur, I'm doing chores for you! And if I'm not doing that, I'm fulfilling my destiny! Do you know how many times I've saved Arthur's life? I've lost count. Do I get any thanks? No. I have fought: griffins, witches, erm…bandits; I have been punched, poisoned, pelted with fruit, and all the while I have to hide who I really am, because if anyone finds out, Uther will have me executed! Sometimes I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions, I don't know which way to turn!"
However, I am learning to control and (quite effectively if I do say so myself) hide my powers. Others haven't been so lucky. Most people even suspected of magic are executed. Nevertheless, I have always managed to escape suspicion, and help those who needed it. I almost didn't help this time, though.
Gaius had warned me not to get involved, but I couldn't help it. She was scared and felt like she was alone. I couldn't let her think that. I just couldn't! Not when I knew exactly what she was going through…