Note: So if you read my fic-What should I say? This happened years before that. You don't have to read it but it might help if you do. I'm not sure I'm going to continue this. But if I get good reviews from you guys I'll keep it going. Lot's of reviews please!
Disclaimer: I don't own the show, the characters, or anything else but I do own the plot and Celine so hands off!
It had been an awful morning for Merlin. He and Gwen had been up the whole night preparing the castle for a visit from King James. The knights had made Merlin come with them on a hunting trip, so he missed his weekly visit to Freya's lake. And now the knights were making fun of him because on said trip he woke up screaming, begging Freya not to leave him.
He had had this dream before, he was used to it by now. But this time Freya said that Merlin wasn't around enough, and that he was a bad father to their three-year-old daughter Maris. When Leon asked him what was wrong he panicked. Merlin wanted to tell them that he wasn't spending enough time with his secret druid wife and their half aquatic-half magical child. But since he couldn't say this to the knights, Merlin convinced them that he had a fight with his girlfriend. At which point they began reveling in the hilarious idea that Merlin had a girlfriend. He was trying to ignore all of this and focus on his job.
"So if you need to greet King James, then why am I carrying your helmet to knight's practice?" Merlin asked Arthur as they arrived at the practice field.
"Something came up so he sent one of the ladies of the court instead. Lady, uh, Lady Celine." Arthur recalled. "She'll be here this after noon, which means we have time to get in a good practice before she arrives."
Taking a break from the mace he was swinging, Gwaine joined in the conversation. "You know I've heard Lady Celine is quite the woman. How bad would it be if I took her out for a drink or two?" He asked with a sly grin.
Arthur tried to set him straight before he could do something stupid. "It would be very bad Gwaine, we want to ensure good favor with this kingdom. We do not want to ensure that she will try to burn your house down. Wait." Arthur said looking around. "Where's Leon?"
"He's waiting at the gate for Lady Celine." Elyan said. "And I agree with Arthur, Gwaine. Try to act like a gentlemen while she's here."
Suddenly brightening Gwaine drawled on sarcasticly, "Well if I can't have her maybe we should pass her onto Merlin. But wait." He grinned, "We couldn't do that because Merlin's got a girlfriend."
As the laughing subsided, Percival asked, "Honestly Merlin, is she real?"
Sighing as he repeated it for the millionth time, he said, "Yes, she is absolutely real."
As he sat through the rest of practice Merlin contemplated telling the truth. But what would he say? That he spent his weekends in an underwater kingdom with his secret magic family? They probably wouldn't believe him anyway.
About a half hour later, Leon was itching to get to a sword. He hated missing practice, especially if he had to do something boring instead. Why was he the one who had to wait for the visitor? It was obvious Gwaine wanted the job. Leon was about ready to go back to practice and send Gwaine to the gates when the carriage pulled up. He decided earlier he was not going to like this Lady Celine. But all that changed when she stepped into the light. Leon could see why Gwaine fancied her so much. She was gorgeous! Blonde haired, blue eyed, and slim. He noted that she was unusually tall, not taller than himself, but one of the tallest women he had ever met. Leon tried to keep his eyes from straying as she introduced herself.
"Hello. I'm Celine. You're not Arthur are you?" She asked.
"No." He replied. Leon tried to bow but she held her arm out for a hand shake instead. "I'm one of his knights, Leon, Arthur is out on the battlements. I can escort you to the throne room to wait for him."
"Oh nonsense! I'll go see him at the battlements."
"Um, well all right then. It's right this way."
She chuckled at his shock. "Sir Leon, its not as though I have never witnessed a knight's practice before."
"Sorry, you are much more forward than most women in Camelot. It would seem that you are not afraid to speak your mind."
"And why should I be? If a man can say whatever he wishes, then why shouldn't I?"
Leon liked this girl. Granted, not as much as Gwaine, but she seemed nice. It was a rarity in Camelot to find a woman who was not afraid to speak freely. Even Gwen kept some thoughts to herself.
When they reached the field, Celine strode out to the men watching Arthur and Percival spar. Gwaine immediately took notice and walked over to greet her.
"Hello, I'm-"
"MERLIN!" She screeched.