Disclaimer: It's a fan fiction. Of course Merlin isn't mine. 'Tis the property of BBC.

Chapter 1

The howls grew louder as the hounds drew nearer. The scent of their prey was still strong, even in the pouring rain. The girls they pursued left a distinctive trail as they dashed through the forest, snapping twigs and breaking tree branches in their clumsy rush to escape. The hounds sensed them weakening, and they hurried their pace, eager to receive a reward from their master for a successful hunt.

With a howl, one of the hounds leapt onto the smaller girl, digging into her back with its sharp claws. The girl screamed in pain and tried to shake the dog off, but it was too heavy. The other girl leapt onto the hound's back and pulled it off of her friend, and the two fell back into the mud.

"Run, Mara!" the girl yelled as she wrestled with the hound's snapping jaws. The smaller girl did as she was told, disappearing in the rain and the trees. Her friend threw the hound off, and she scrambled to her feet, the mud beneath her making it difficult to stand. She ran after Mara, the hounds not far behind.

Soon, she came upon an abandoned hut. The thatched roof had many holes, and the walls were beginning to crumble, but the door looked sturdy. Quickly, the girl went inside and blocked the door. She looked around inside for a backup exit. There was a hole in the roof that wasn't too far up, so if the hound broke through, she could escape through that.

The sound of the hounds drew closer, and soon the howls and pounding paws faded into the distance. The girl went limp in relief, leaning up against the wall and panting. Her relief did not last long, however, as shouts approached from the direction the dogs had run.

The girl stood stock still as the sound of hoof beats drew near. She heard voices, far too close for comfort. She jumped as someone tried the door, then they started to hit it. Multiple people were throwing their whole body force against it, and her barricade was beginning to shift. She stood and started to climb for the hole in the roof as the door burst open. Someone grabbed her ankles, and she screamed. She kicked and thrashed, and she soon lost her foothold on the crumpling wall. She fell to the ground, and the man grabbed her wrists. She struggled desperately, trying to free her wrists.

"Sit still, please!" the man said. "I mean you know harm."

The girl stopped thrashing and looked up at him. A flash of lightning crossed the sky, lighting up the man's features. He had blond hair and blue eyes, and he had an air of superiority about him. He was dressed in armor, the picture of a dragon on his shield.

"Camelot," the girl gasped. She looked terrified, shrinking away from the man.

"It's alright," the man said, slowly releasing her wrists. "I'm Prince Arthur. You're safe now."

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Arthur looked down at the girl. Her large green eyes were wide in fright, and her caramel colored hair was tied up in a mangled braid. She was very scrawny, and though her skin was tan from the sun, her face was very pale. She had many scrapes and cuts all over her, and he notices several deep claw scratches in her left side.

"You're safe now," he repeated.

He held out a hand to help her up, but she only cringed away.

"Where's Mara?" she whimpered. "What have you done with her?"

Arthur shook his head. "I don't know of whom you speak. Now you must get up. We need to return to Camelot."

"Sire, go easy on her," a boy said behind Arthur. "She's in shock."

"Don't tell me what to do, Merlin," Arthur snapped. "I know she's in shock, but we do need to get back."

The girl shook her head. "No. Not without Mara. The hounds. They'll take her."

She stood, and Arthur backed up. "I must find her. Thank you for your help, but I must leave now."

"Now hold on!" the boy, Merlin, protested. "You can't go alone, especially with that wound."

"I will do as I wish," the girl said calmly.

"No, I agree with Merlin," Arthur said. "Let us accompany you. We will help you find your friend, then you must come back with us. Our court physician can look after your wounds."

The girl hesitated, then she nodded. "Very well. I thank you."

She followed Arthur and his men from the hut, Once they were outside, Arthur turned to her.

"What is your name?" he asked.

The girl looked at him. "I am best known as Carnation."