I do not own Merlin.

This story is set post reveal. Well, to be exact it is set about a year after the happenings in 'Night of Destiny' (5.05) This is not a direct sequel, so you can read it separately without any problems. But I am referring to my previous story a couple of times at the beginning.

This is all about Merlin. I thought that he highly deserved some kind of romantic involvement. Whether it turns out for the better or the worse remains to be seen!

T-rated (just to make sure) for a slightly more detailed romantic scene (nothing outrageous!) and some more graphic whump towards the end of the story (nothing really horrendous!)


Chapter 1

This was it. The citadel of Camelot. The young woman standing on a small clearing overlooking the castle seemed forlorn in thought. For days she had been anticipating her arrival, but now, that she was here, it was almost overwhelming. She knew too well what the task ahead involved and that she would have to risk everything. But so much depended on it.

She was staring at the citadel, steely determination glowing behind her grey eyes. The muscles around her chin tensed slightly as she considered her plan for the hundredth time. Then her gaze suddenly hardened pushing away any niggling thoughts of hesitation or fear. There is no going back now.

oooooooooo

It was a beautiful spring morning in Camelot. After the harsh winter the air had finally turned mild again and life had started to return to nature. Tiny buds of green had started to appear on the trees in the woods around the castle, flowers had started to blossom turning the meadows into shades of white and purple and the slight hum of insects busying themselves through the grasses could be heard again.

'This must be the best time of the year' Merlin thought as he looked out of the window of his chamber noting all the changes springtime had brought. Feeling the pulse of nature beating stronger again was just pure joy and it resonated within every fibre of his body. He took a deep breath of the sweet air and wished that he could have ventured out into the forest.

With a sigh he relented that this would have to wait. His position of Court Sorcerer unfortunately required him to be part of the welcoming party when guests arrived in Camelot. Merlin hated these occasions dearly, as he always felt slightly out of place, not knowing what to say and what to do. But Arthur had insisted on it. He had made a lot of effort over the last year to make sure that every single visitor got to meet him and was told of his many achievements.

Although Merlin deeply appreciated what Arthur had been doing for him and for magic since the day they had returned from their fateful meeting with the disir, he sometimes wished that he could blend more into the background, as he had done for so many years.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. 'Sire!' Theo, one of the younger servants had entered the room. 'Your presence is requested in the big hall'. With another sigh Merlin turned away from the window and crossed his rather untidy chambers to do his duty. On the way out he made a mental note that it was definitely time to return all the books he was using for his studies and that were lying scattered on the floor back to their proper places on the shelves and sort out the papers that were piling up in various parts of the room.

oooooooooo

'Lady Ariana of Camarthen' The court stood in honour of their noble guest as the young princess approached the king and the queen at the end of the hall. Camarthen was one of the lesser known kingdoms in the far southwest of Camelot and hence a certain air of curiosity filled the room. As the young woman passed gracefully, barely audible gasps of amazement followed her and many a young courtier pleasantly blushed at her sight.

Ariana was of slight build and of medium height. Waves of black silky hair cascaded over her shoulders and framed her delicate soft features. It was beyond doubt that she was one of the most beautiful women who had ever graced Camelot with her presence, even rivalling the queen's own fairness. Her most outstanding feature though had to be her eyes. Not many people had ever been blessed with such an unusual shade of grey.

She was followed closely by two knights. One, even taller and more muscular than Percival, looked fierce and carried the scars of previous battles with obvious pride. The other, the look of a warrior by default, walked with the air of man totally at ease with himself and ready to face anything that would come his way.

'Lady Ariana! We are pleased to welcome you in Camelot.' Arthur bowed gallantly and kissed her outstretched hand.

'The pleasure is mine' replied Ariana courteously. 'I am looking forward to discussing the trading arrangements between our kingdoms. It has been long overdue.'

'It has indeed. ' Arthur agreed.

'Reports have reached me in recent weeks that there has been some kind of unrest in your lands recently?' He enquired politely, wondering if this could be another reason for her visit.

A slight shadow moving over Ariana's face went unnoticed as she answered lightly. 'No, Sire. You must have been misinformed. Carmathen has been been blessed with peace and prosperity for many months.'

'I am glad to hear it.' answered Arthur. 'And who are your companions, if I may ask?'

'Sir Cynric' she introduced the taller knight. 'One of my strongest warriors, and Sir Balin, my most trusted advisor'.

'Welcome sir knights. I hope you will find your stay in Camelot rewarding.'

The knight nodded their heads in appreciation.

'It is lovely to meet you at last, milady' Ariana addressed Guinevere. 'There are more tales about the queen of Camelot than any other lady in the realm.'

Gwen smiled warmly at the young princess. 'I am not sure if they are all true! However, we do not want to keep you any longer with pleasantries. You had a long journey and will welcome some rest.' Gwen was about to call a servant for this purpose when Arthur cleared his throat silently drawing their attention.

'Before you go, Lady Ariana, I would like you to meet the Court Sorcerer.'

Ariana turned slowly to face Merlin. This was the moment she had been most worried about. Stay calm. Her inner voice pushed her fears away and replied politely: 'Merlin, isn't it?' She scanned his face but avoided a direct look into his eyes. 'Your fame precedes you. I am intrigued to hear one of your adventures from your own lips.' She gave a faint smile but it did not reach her eyes. She was too busy concentrating on shielding her mind.

As soon as the princess had turned around to him Merlin had felt something strange. Was it her beauty that dazzled him so much? No, he was not exactly prone to fall for things like that. Women had never been much on his mind since Freya. Her image was still firmly lodged in his heart and he often thought of her fondly. Yes, he had seen many a pretty face amongst the ladies of Camelot and there had been one or two who had quite clearly indicated an interest in knowing him. But there had been too much on his mind since magic had been legalized in Camelot. He had worked endless hours and days to help set up the new laws and treaties and he had never felt the need for female companionship.

Merlin searched Ariana's face …. in vain. It was like a closed book. Still, there was that feeling. It was …Merlin tried to formulate it …..a feeling that something was not right. That there was more to her than it appeared. He had tried to catch her gaze but it was clear that she avoided him. And when she looked straight past him with that empty smile, he was certain that she was hiding something.

Strange. I will have to keep an eye on you. He thought, but at the same time he could not help notice in the back of his mind that his heart was beating slightly faster than before.

oooooooooo

The evening feast provided the usual luxuries of the royal court. The food was plentiful and rich and the entertainment well received. Lady Ariana was seated between Arthur and Guinevere conversing with one or the other as the evening went along.

As his position required Merlin sat at Arthur's right hand side. Gone were the days where he had been the one serving and attending at the royal table. He was watching Ariana's every move. She seemed perfectly charming talking politics with Arthur and discussing more womanly topics with Gwen. They were all at ease, smiling and enjoying themselves. Merlin started wondering whether he had been too sensitive in the hall earlier that day. There was nothing, absolutely nothing that would have given cause to doubt the princess.

Merlin scrutinized her secretly. She oozed nobility in the best sense of the word. Her conversation showed that she had been properly educated and her astuteness and clear views on the politics of the kingdoms proved her a woman of intelligence and prowess. Her movements were poised and measured and the way she held herself showed that she had been brought up by the strict rules of a royal household. If anything Merlin thought that she was almost too composed. It is as if she is wearing a mask. She does not show her real self. Merlin contemplated. Then she suddenly smiled at something Gwen had said. This time she really smiled, opening up slightly for just a second and it was not like that smile she had given him when they were first introduced. Her face lit up and her grey eyes radiated warmth for that instant. Why does she look vulnerable like this? She really was a puzzle. Merlin was totally lost in thought and almost jumped when Cynric and Balin approached him.

'Merlin! we were ….'

Ariana's knights had spent most of the evening in the company of Percival and Gwaine and when Merlin noticed that his friends were grinning broadly at him from across the room he knew immediately what the two visitors were looking for. Here we go again…

Merlin smiled at them . 'What would you like to know?'

When the music started up, it was up to the king and the queen to open the dancing for the night. Cynric and Blain drew Merlin's attention completely wanting to hear his account of a tale that they had heard. As the warlock was telling how exactly they had beaten an army of skeletons he thought that he heard the whisper of a voice in the back of his mind. The right moment is now. And it sounded suspiciously like Ariana's. However, the knights were already asking the next question.

There was a lot of hustle and bustle about the hall with everyone busy, dancing, talking and laughing. In this unobserved moment, Ariana opened the ring on her finger to reveal a concealed compartment and with a flick of the hand she poured a brightly red powder into Gwen's wine.


I would love to know what you think. Any suggestions, ideas? Let me know! I really appreciate your comments! Thanks for reading!