Meeting Merlin

Sunlight shining through the small window in Evelyn's room woke her up that morning. She rolled over and buried her face further into the pillow wanting to get more sleep. However that didn't last long as Gaius shouted to her from the next room "Evelyn! Wake up! I need you to go into the forest and collect some herbs for me"

Evelyn groaned as she rolled over to face the ceiling, another day of collecting herbs, making potions and healing the sick awaited her. She loved her job here at Camelot but sometimes she just wished that something exciting would happen for a change. She quickly got up and changed into a light blue dress with a dark blue apron before exiting her small chambers she braided her long brown hair so that it wouldn't get in the way.

Gaius was sat at the table eating some porridge that Evelyn didn't feel like eating. Grabbing her basket she hurried over to Guise giving him a hug and leaving before he'd force her to sit and eat. She knew he only did it because he loved her and was worried for her wellbeing. Evelyn wasn't really a breakfast person she'd much rather have an apple or something that she found on the way.

Entering the main courtyard she looked around confused as to why there were so many people rushing about. Spotting her friend Gwen trying to get through the crowd Evelyn quickly made her way over to her friend. Her and Gwen had been friends since she could remember they were practically sisters. Gwen was always there for Evelyn when she needed her most, they'd known each other since childhood.

"Evelyn!" Gwen called happily upon seeing her friend

"Gwen, do you know what's going on?"

A sad look crossed Gwen's face "it's an execution. They found someone suspected of using Magic"

Evelyn felt her chest tighten, she didn't understand how Uther could see all magic as bad. In her eyes these people had done nothing to hurt anyone yet they had to die.

"Well then I best take my time collecting herbs for Gaius. I hate these things"

"I know" Gwen gave her a sympathetic look "oh! Here take an apple" Gwen grabbed an apple from her basket and handed it to Evelyn who refused causing Gwen to give her a pointed look "Eve come on. I know you haven't had breakfast yet so please just take it"

"Fine" Evelyn gave Gwen a small smile "Thank you"

The two girl said their goodbye and parted ways planning to meet up later on once they'd both finished their duties. Evelyn walked slowly through the town while eating her apple. She enjoyed walking through the town and watching the people go about their dally lives, it was somewhat calming to her.

After a short walk she made it to the outskirts of the forest and started collecting the herbs that they were running low on. Evelyn always liked to make sure the herb stock was full if it was left up to Gaius they'd always be running low.

Gaius was like a father to Evelyn he was the only parent she'd ever known. He had told her that her parents had died but nothing more. Evelyn would be lying if she said she wasn't the least bit curious about them she had wanted to know more but Gaius wouldn't say. She wanted to know more but honestly she happy with the life she had and she didn't want to push Gaius into telling her, she owed that man so much after everything he'd done for her over the past 20 years.

After she'd determined that there were enough herbs to last them quite a while Evelyn started to trek back to town praying that the execution was over. She hated these days knowing that the King would throw a feast to celebrate it. Celebrating a mans death just didn't feel right to her, she hated it but luckily she would not have to attend tonight.

Arriving back in the main courtyard Evelyn noticed that the execution was over. However there was an old woman stood there shouting angrily at the King.

"You took my son so I shall take something from you. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son or a son" she spat at the King.

"Arrest her!" Uther shouted, but before the guards could get to her she disappeared in a cloud of smoke causing everyone to gasp in horror. Evelyn felt somewhat sorry for the mother after all she had just lost her son.

Before heading back to the physicians chambers she decided to have a look round the market for anything she might need. After finding nothing of interest she decided it was best to go back and start work on some remedies to let Gaius rest for the afternoon.

When she finally made it to the physicians chamber she noticed a young boy talking to Guise.

"Ah Evelyn come meet Merlin. I told you he'd be staying here from now on" Guise said happily

The young man turned around and smiled. Evelyn noticed that he was about the same age as her and had piercing blue eyes that caught hers as he smiled. "Hello I'm Evelyn it's a pleasure to meet you Merlin"

"Likewise umm so you work for Gaius?"

"Ever since I was little, he practically raised me" Evelyn gave him a small smile "let me show you where to put your things"

Evelyn lead Merlin up the small staircase that lead to the spare room. It was small with a bed, a chair and small storage spaces. Merlin looked around in wonder at the room "so this is all mine?"

"Yeah i know it's not much"

"Thank you it's perfect. But where do you sleep?"

"There's a small room downstairs that's mine. It's a bit smaller than this but it's home" she smiled softly, Gaius had wanted her to take the bigger room when she'd got older but she loved the other one too much, even if it could just fit a bed. It was her home and she felt comfortable there.

"Anyway I'll leave you to settle in I have work to do" Evelyn headed for the door but then stopped before leaving "I could give you a tour of the castle tomorrow if you'd like?"

"Oh um yes that would be great thank you Evelyn" Merlin smiled softly at her before he went back to unpacking.

Evelyn headed downstairs and immediately got started on mixing herbs while thinking about the new boy. So far she liked him he seemed kind and polite but there was something different about him that she just couldn't put her finger on. Despite that she could tell that they were going to become good friends as time went by. However what she didn't know was that meeting Merlin was forever going to change her life.

A/N: so this was more of an introduction chapter, the next one will be longer I promise. I hope you all enjoyed it. I'll be following the series but with some changes (not major ones). Let me know what you thought of this first chapter I can't wait to write more.