Hey guys! There was a problem with my other account, and I haven't been able to access it for some time. So, I moved my story to this account and will hopefully have the full thing up soon. I am the same Anderson Jen, only with an extra 'n' on the end of my name. This is the same story it was on my other account, as I had all the chapters stored on a flash drive and do not have to start from scratch! (Yay for me!) To the readers who have read this story before, I apologize for the wait and I hope you can forgive me. It's been a rough school semester, and I hope to have all chapters edited and published before I go back in January.
To those who have not read the beginning of this story on my other account, it is a Gwaine/OC and Arthur/OC story. The story is canon up until the end of Season 3. This story picks up about six months after the finale of that. I hope you all enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I apologize in advance for any typos, this is self-edited. Thank you very much!
Also, To Whom It May Concern, I will be posting some of my other stories as well, from Harry Potter and possibly Star Trek. Maybe some others if I get inspired :)
SIDE NOTE: FORCE AWAKENS COMES OUT TODAY WOOOHOOOOO
Disclaimer: All rights to BBC. I do not own Merlin, only my original country and characters.
Princess Eilonwy (she prefers Ellie) rode through the forest, a wide smile on her face. She honestly loved the moments where she snuck away with her closest friend Jen, able to evade court life for a day. She could let her hair down her back, the thick curls flying behind her in the wind. She felt free from her overbearing council and courtiers.
You are heir to the throne, they would say every morning. Your marriage to a prince means the joining of two kingdoms, an alliance that could bring you so much power.
She almost groaned at the memory, but Jen laughing beside her made her smile. Who cared of courtiers and princes when Ellie could wear leggings and let her hair tangle in the wind?
"My arse hurts," she mumbled, fidgeting on the horse.
Jen snorted. "Don't let the King hear you talk like that."
"If only he knew the mouth on you," Ellie grinned. "Remember Sir Drake?"
"He was a self-righteous prat!" Jen burst into laughter at the memory of the noble who tried to get more than he deserved.
"You should've cursed him, rather than cursing him."
"That made no sense."
"You know what I mean," Ellie rolled her eyes. "A little less 'damn you' and a little more actual cursing. You could have turned him into a toad?" The pair burst into laughter at the thought.
Ellie remembered when they'd first discovered Jen had magic. They were five years old, and incredibly mischievous. While Jen distracted the librarian, Ellie had gotten a book from the restricted section of the library. The pair found that it was a spell book, and thought it would be fun to try and read a rhyme or two aloud. What they didn't expect was for Jen to say the words and the librarian to actually become a toad.
Jen's laughter was cut short, making Ellie focus back on their present ride through the woods. Her friend slowed down. "What is it, Jen?"
"I heard something," Jen insisted. She halted her horse and hopped down, looking around. "Ellie, I sense magic."
"That's not so odd," Ellie shrugged. "Magic isn't outlawed here."
"This isn't simply sorcery," Jen argued. She drew her sword. "This is powerful magic."
"Like yours?" Ellie frowned.
"I'm flattered, but my magic is nothing compare to this," Jen sighed. She closed her eyes. Ellie recognized the calmed looked on her face and peaceful stance; she was focusing on feeling the magic around her. "It's good magic. It's..."
Her eyes shot open. "It's Emrys!"
"Emrys?" Ellie grinned. "What would he be doing here? And how would you know?"
"I'm not sure," Esme said. "There are so many prophecies about him, but I don't know them too well. As for how I know it's him, I just do. Remember when I visited the Druids? They taught me how to recognize the magic around me, and it's so powerful it must be him."
"You don't think your magic is powerful and your destiny is important?" Ellie looked slightly offended. According to the Druids, Jen's destiny was to be Ellie's constant companion, always protecting her and giving her wisdom when needed.
Jen gave her a short glare. "Ellie, you know I think your life is worth everything, but this is Emrys. He isn't just a warlock and King Arthur's protector, he's...he's the most powerful wizard of all time."
"Then we best not anger him, hmm?" Ellie hopped from her horse as her friend rolled her eyes. "Come on darling. Let's go find Emrys!"
The pair led their horses through the woods, using Jen's senses to guide them. Just as they came upon the smell of campfire, they heard swords drawn. Ellie reached for her sword, just as Jen did.
"Find Emrys," Jen said. "He'll protect you."
Ellie groaned. "I don't need protecting."
"You're the future queen of Luxtera," Jen returned. "Think of your father! Think of your people, what will they do without an heir?"
"Fine," Ellie hissed. She hated when Jen brought up her duty to Luxtera. "Please, be careful."
Jen twisted her sword in her hand, a small smirk forming. "Always."
)-(
Jen prevented a blow to her side when a man swiftly emerged from the trees. Each applying pressure to their swords, they glared.
"You're a woman!" the man exclaimed.
"Nothing gets past you," Jen hissed. She swiveled the sword around in attempt to knock it from his hands, but his grip was strong. She took advantage of his shock and attacked again. Usually she went straight to defense, but his attack was strong. She needed to get a single strike in that would wound him enough for her to really get him.
"Where did you learn to sword play?" he asked, preventing her from slicing his stomach.
"I don't play with swords," she hissed. "I fight with them."
They continued what seemed to be more like aggressive sparring instead of actual fighting. Jen was pleased to see that he didn't underestimate her, but continued full force. Sweat began to trickle down her brow, making her uncomfortable. What also made her uncomfortable was the appreciative glance he gave her in between blows. She became irritated. He wasn't going easy on her, he was playing with her.
She gave out a frustrated yell and swiftly knocked his sword from his hands. He stumbled back in surprise. Jen pointed her sword at him. "Who are you?"
"Completely besotted," he answered. "Put down that sword down and let's chat, eh?"
"Where did you come from?"
"You invaded my camp, sweetheart."
"Don't," Jen hissed. "Call me that."
She wouldn't have guessed that he would shoot forward, which was exactly what he did. Her sword flew from her grasp. Noticing the symbol of Camelot on his tunic, she panicked. If she couldn't do magic, she had to rely on brawn only.
Esme launched herself at the man, giving a solid punch to his jaw. He groaned and retaliated. She avoided it and tried to find where his armor couldn't protect him. Since it covered most of his upper body though, she'd have to knock him down. While she thought this over, he continued attempting to get the upper hand. Getting frustrated, she stuck her leg out and swiveled her body. He fell to the ground, but pulled her with him.
She slammed the ground with her fist in annoyance. Jen desperately reached for her sword. He used one arm—only one arm—and pulled her back, weaseling his body on top of hers. She tried to kick, but her body was too small beneath him.
"Stop, please," he said. "I don't want to hurt you."
Jen glared. "Believe me, I could beat you any day."
"Then why are you beneath me?"
Jen wrapped her leg around his lower half and rolled over, pulling the dagger out of her corset and placing it at her throat. She gave her own satisfied smirk at having gotten the upper hand. "I don't lie beneath men."
"Marry me?" he grinned, staring up at her. "I'm Sir Gwain of the Knights of Camelot."
"What are you doing here?" Jen hissed. "You're a mile outside the King's city, and I will not let you come near it or my king."
"I'm escorting Merlin, Ambassador of Camelot," Gwaine explained. "We're here to ask for advice on how to handle magic."
"Magic?" Jen blanched. She removed the dagger from the knight's neck and sat up straight, still keeping her weight on top of him. "What do you mean?"
"Your kingdom allows magic," Gwaine explained. "Arthur is considering changing laws, but he needs advice on how to do that while protecting all of his people and Camelot's traditions."
"Oh, right, of course." Jen continued staring down at the man beneath her. He didn't see too uncomfortable with her positioned above him and a dagger pointed threateningly at him. In fact, he looked like he was exactly where he wanted to be. She took the opportunity to appreciate his thick brown hair and scratchy beard. His brown eyes glinted mischievously. Jen briefly wondered if he was as muscular as he looked beneath all that armor...
"I leave you for ten minutes and you've already found a man?"
Jen's head shot up. Before her stood Ellie and a handsome young man with tousled black hair. He smiled at her kindly. "No worries. Gwaine affects most women."
It was then that Jen realized how she appeared. She straddled Sir Gwaine, who was smiling foolishly up at her. She had dropped her weapon, so it did look rather...promiscuous. She scrambled off him and collected her sword and hid her dagger again. With wide eyes, she looked upon the man before her and did a slight bow.
"Emrys," she said lowly. "It is an honor."
"Thank you," the man said. "But please, call me Merlin."
"Merlin," she said with a smile.
"I'm guessing you have magic as well," Merlin smiled back. "That'll be interesting."
"We have much to talk about," Ellie said. "I suggest we return to the castle and discuss this with my father. Jen?"
"Of course." Jen rose to her full height and stuck her chin out. She had a feeling this would be a long afternoon.