This is my first real attempt to write a Merlin Fan-fic. I will probably be posting a series of fan fics here. Enjoy!

The pink spiral of color glimpsed through the cracked wooden window of the small cramped room. A slight beckoning breeze kissed the side of Gwen's face. This mere movement caused her right hand to gently slide her loose tendril of hair behind her ear.

The croaking sound of a muffled roaster rang furiously from outside of Gwen's room and she responded with a hushed sigh. She knows that it is time for her to wake up, greet the morning with open arms, but she couldn't bring herself to do so.

This morning is different from the mundane ones that she has experienced normally. Today is the day that she turns sixteen. A young age that she has been awaiting for quite some time now. She could finally change not only her destiny but her parent's destiny as well.

If only she could rise…

A fear creeps through her chilled bones as the wind from the window whistles in once more. Today she would have her open meeting with the king. The lady Morgana needs a lady in waiting, more like a servant, someone to cater to her everyday needs. Gwen's father had told her about the position days before. He seemed so excited as if this job was their way out of poverty.

"This could be our only chance," Her father had said. He knelt below his daughter with his hands sewn in between hers. "This could prove our loyalty to our king. That way if anything happened to me, you and your brother would have his protection." Gwen had only nodded. She sealed this promise with a hug.

She would do anything to help her father. Yes, it's true her father is older, and his health slowly sinking. However, she had to believe that there would be a better way of taking care of her family. To become someone's mindless servant is not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

"Gwen," His familiar voice she would recognize from anywhere. "Come, haven't you heard the roaster crow! Time to awaken." Gwen sighs once more and slowly pushes herself up from her bed. She rests for a moment her hair in disarray as her feet dangle from her bed filled with straw.

"I'm awake papa," she says with a high-pitched yawn. Her father bustles around her room gathering small things and collecting them into his hand. She cannot help but chuckle at his rushed manner. "What exactly are you doing?" Her father doesn't answer initially, and Gwen believes that he has completely ignored her. She is about to repeat her statement when he says.

"Now Gwen there isn't time for talking. There is much to do. You must bathe, find something suitable to wear, and for goodness sake do something with your hair." Gwen instantly runs her hand through her long coiled locks. She has never really thought about her appearance before.

"What is the matter with my hair?"

"Nothing! No time for bickering now come on, up up!" Gwen bites her tongue before saying anything else. She gets up from her bed and walks out with her father screaming behind her.

"So, how do I look?" Gwen asks. She turns to finally face her father and brother Elyan. Both the men are sitting on brown wooden chairs around the small table in their kitchen. There is a bowl filled with porridge in front of both of them. Gwen's father looks up from his bowl and his breath immediately catches. Gwen becomes self-conscious. Her hands fiddle with the skirt of her lavender dress. "I can go back and change if it looks appalling." Gwen turns on her booted heel beginning to go back into her bedroom.

"No wait," her father stops her. He rises from his chair and walks over towards his daughter. He places his feeble hand on her shoulder turning her around to face him. Slight traces of freckles line themselves, like stars, against her tan colored skin. She doesn't face her father but looks down shyly towards their dirt covered floor. "Guinevere you look beautiful. Just like your mother."

Gwen walks through the town with her midnight blue cape over her head. She walks past the baker's shop and the small homes of all the people that she has known all her life. Normally, this would be like any other day. However, today was different. Today would be the day she met the king. A lump, as large as a melon, assembles in her throat. She gets to the kingdom's gates and she must stop from walking. She takes a long deep breath. She closes her eyes reassuring herself that she can do this. Besides, what made this king any different from anyone else she's ever meet.

She he is rich, has loads of servants, wears nice clothes…

She shakes all the thoughts from her mind. She would woe him with her charm and personality. Gwen begins to walk proudly towards the castle. She has her head help up high and her walk conjures all the self assurance that she has. As she walks down the cobble stones someone cascades into her. Gwen falls towards the ground with the wind knocked out of her. Her cape falls off of her head and her hair, which was elaborately done in a bun, now falls along her shoulders. Gwen tries to catch her breath as she lifts herself up. A young man with golden hair and eyes the color of the sky looks down apologetically at her.

"Madam, I am sorry I didn't see you." The young man outstretches his hand and she grabs it. He lifts her up onto her feet. She begins to wipe the mud and dirt off of her lavender colored dress.

"It's quite alright. I just," she sighs. The sun is shining down gaily and highlights her dark hair making it look lighter. "I cannot meet the king looking like this." The young man has also been wiping his black pants off. He looks up at her skeptically.

"You are trying to request a meeting with the king?" Gwen nods her head as she reaches for the ache now in her neck.

"Yes, I was. Unfortunately, I believe he will run at the mere sight of me. Or possibly believe me to be a witch. Both, I would be burned at the stake." She says sarcastically. The young man crosses his arms around his maroon colored shirt.

"Why were you trying to see the king in the first place?" Gwen shakes her head.

"Honestly, It wasn't my idea." She lets out a loud sigh. "I've heard he's quite the stubborn old horse." She slightly leans in as if she is telling the man a secret. "It would be the last thing that I'd ever want to do. But, the Lady Morgana is in need of a servant. I am in need of money, therefore, here I am."

"You are trying to be the Lady Morgana's servant?" The man says with a chuckle.

"Yes sir, I am and what is so hilarious. Are you mocking me?"

"It's just you don't seem like you have cooked a day in your life." Gwen crosses her arms affronted by his accusations.

"I would have you know that I am the daughter of a blacksmith. I have been mocking stalls and feeding chickens sense the day I left my mother's womb."

"Well, you seem very outspoken. You are also quite strong. When I collided with you I am sure you broke my jaw." Gwen smiles to herself.

"A lady must be able to defend herself sir. Now if you would excuse me. I must return home to explain to my father that I am both penniless and jobless." Gwen turns around and begins to walk back in the direction that she came. The young man runs towards her placing his arm on her shoulder turning her around.

"Well, I seem to have a better idea." Gwen's eye brow slowly shifts in skepticism.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the king and I are quite close. I assure you the job is yours." Gwen's mouth slowly parts,

"define close."

"Well, I am his son, I am Arthur Pendragon."

End of chapter 1.