Disclaimer: I own none of the character except Myrlinna and I'm not sure if I own her as she's just a female Merlin. A lot of this script is taken from the TV series but I have added, deleted and changed bits so it changes into a romance story.

In a land of Myth and a time of magic.
The destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young girl.
Her name
Myrlinna

I save Arthurs life, and end up as his servant how is this fair? Myrlinna thought to herself as she brushed down Arthur's horse, he was practising fighting in the distance. Arthur had done everything possible to make her life more difficult. He had had her clean his chambers top to bottom with the smallest brush he could find, clean his armour, walk his hounds, mend his clothes, polish his boots and now she was grooming his horse his horse and it wasn't even mid day. The dragon is wrong there is no way I'll ever be his Queen.

That night when she got home she was so relieved collapsed into a chair.
"How was your first day as Arthur's servant?"
"Argh, I hate him he's so infuriating."
"You seemed to enjoy dancing with him last night."
"We spent the entire dance arguing."
"He seemed to enjoy it"
"He didn't he started the argument."
"Maybe he's scared"
"Of me? Why?"
"Oh you'll see but this could be interesting."
"Don't speak in riddles Gaius I'm too tired. Arthurs entering a tournament tomorrow and I have one night to learn how to put on armour."
"Doesn't he have a manservant to do that?"
"Not at the minute so I have to do that as well."
Myrlinna used magic to open a book on armour right in front of her.
"Myrlinna" Gaius warned.
"It saves me using my arms they're sore thanks to Arthur"
"My dear girl what would I do if you got caught?"
"What would you do?"
"I don't know"

"I hate this I do all the work and he gets all the credit."
"He's the future King people expect so much of him maybe he's scared."

Fortunately Gwen who was a blacksmiths daughter helped 'Linna' as she called her to put the armour on. But it was much harder putting it on Arthur than putting it on one of Gwen's fathers wooden models.
"You do know the tournament starts today" Arthur snapped
"Yes sire" she sighed back.
"Are you nervous?" she asked not being able to resist irritating her master.
"I don't get nervous."
"Really? I thought everyone got nervous."
"Please just shut up." Arthur shouted at her.
"Right" Myrlinna said finally "I think your ready"
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Arthur snapped Myrlinna looked blank.
"My sword"
"Ooops sorry" Myrlinna smirked like an idiot knowing it would upset Arthur who got his own sword from the wrack glaring a Myrlinna as he did.

The tournament went well Arthur won all of his fights. He actually seemed noble and brave when he fought but he was still an arrogant jerk. Until a knight called Valiant fought his opponent fell but something was wrong Gaius was with the fallen knight Myrlinna decided to ask Gaius later.
Valiant came over
"I was impressed by your victories today" he told Arthur
"Likewise" he replied as soon as he left Myrlinna muttered
"creep" to her shock Arthur smirked. Their eyes met and for a moment everything was alright then Arthur ruined it.
"Brush my tunic, polish my boots, sharpen my sword and clean my armour oh and my room." then he just walked off.

Of course Myrlinna used magic to clean all of Arthur's clothes, armour etc. But she had to clean his room by hand. She wished he'd ask for a manservant then she would only have to clean his room and mend his clothes instead of doing two jobs. Unfortunately Gaius walked in while Arthurs equipment was being cleaned by magic. Everything fell to the floor.
"Are you using magic again?"
"No"
"What's all this then?"
Myrlinna shrugged. Gaius shook his head and walked out.

Myrlinna went to the armoury to drop off Arthurs armour. She heard a hiss but when she turned there was nothing there. Then she heard the hiss again it was coming from Valiant's shield she saw the eyes of one of the snakes blink. She felt a sword at her throat. It was Valiant she stood up to face him.
"What were you doing to my shield?"
"I... nothing, forgive me my lord it's just I've never seen such an impressive shield before." she hoped her innocent pretty face would get her out of this.
"Well" he stepped closer to her sheathing his sword again "I suppose there's no harm done, your Prince Arthurs maid aren't you?"
"Yes my lord" Myrlinna hated it when she had to act submissive but angering Valiant until she knew what she was up against.
"Of course I won't tell Prince Arthur about this." He began
"Thank you my lord."
"If you give me a kiss." He finished.
"But my lord."She protested.
Valiant made a grab for her.
What is it about me that men find so attractive? Myrlinna thought she wasn't anything special apart from her magic which they knew nothing about.
She struggled against his chest.
"Let me go"
But he pushed her against the wall.
She fought against him. She knew the only way to avoid being raped was magic. She was about to cast a spell when she heard
"Let her go Valiant." It was Arthur.
"Of course your highness" he said 'your highness' with contempt and dropped Myrlinna. Valiant turned to leave Arthur glared at him as he did so. When he left Arthur turned to Myrlinna.
"What do you think you were doing?"
"I was delivering your armour and he attacked me."
Arthur offered her his hand and helped her up.
"I guess we're even now huh?" Myrlinna asked.
To her surprise Arthur smiled at her.
They left together "I better take you back to Gaius we don't know if Valiant's still hanging around."
"You don't have to"
"I know" but Arthur walked her back anyway they stayed in an uncomfortable silence.
"Arthur?" Myrlinna asked finally
"Yes"
"Kick his arse in the tournament."
Arthur chuckled at this.
As Myrlinna reached the door Arthur called
"Oh wench, this doesn't mean I like you"
Myrlinna turned to face him.
"I don't like you either." Then she disappeared into Gaius's rooms before he could reply.

"What took you so long? I need you to deliver this to Knight Valiant." Gaius told her as soon as she entered the room.
"I'm not going anywhere near that man. He tried to rape me."
Gaius dropped the bottle of medicine in his hand. Myrlinna froze it and moved it onto the table.
"What? Are you alright?"
"He didn't succeed luckily Arthur decided to come to the armoury I think he was hoping I hadn't delivered his equipment so he could punish me. But he made Valiant leave me alone."
"So Arthurs not that bad then?"
"I still don't like him, he doesn't like me either."
"Then why did he insist on making sure you got back here safely."
"I don't know"
Gaius smiled knowingly. Myrlinna went into her room. Stupid Gaius, stupid Arthur.

The next morning was slightly awkward. "Not bad" Arthur told her inspecting her work. Myrlinna smiled this was a compliment from Arthur.
"Now let's see if you can get me into it without forgetting anything."
"How old are you? Nineteen? Twenty? You could learn how to dress yourself."
"Shut up"
Without replying Myrlinna got him dressed using as much magic as she could get away with without being caught. She then handed him his sword and helmet.
"That was much better."
Myrlinna smirked proudly.
Then he continued
"Not that it could of got any worse."
"I'm a fast learner."
"I hope for your sake that's true."
"Good luck"
He didn't reply and just walked past her.

Myrlinna stayed in the background as Arthur walked into the ring. Myrlinna smiled happily but she wasn't sure why.
"Are you by any chance beginning to enjoy your service?" Gaius appeared beside her.
"Well...It's not completely horrible all the time." she admitted.
"Yes" she called joining in with the crowd when Arthur gained any advantage.
When Valiant fought again Myrlinna was the only one rooting for Valiant's opponent Knight Ewan. But something was wrong. The knight suddenly collapsed. Valiant had won.
Myrlinna hurried with her duties helping Arthur and rushed home to ask Gaius what was happening.
"How is he?"
"Not good, look at this these two small wounds. Snakebite."
"How can he have been bitten by a snake he was in a tournament."
"I don't know"
"Can't you do anything?"
"Well if it's snakebite I'll have to extract venom from the snake that bit him to come up with an antidote."
"What happens if he doesn't get the antidote."
"Then I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for him, he'll die."
"He was fighting Knight Valiant." Was it possible? Myrlinna needed to find proof.

She followed Valiant and pushed door open his door carefully just enough to see inside. Valiant took a mouse and held it over his shield. The three snakes on the shield all came to life and ate the mouse. Myrlinna ran but Valiant heard her and went to investigate. Luckily she managed to stay hidden.

Myrlinna just burst in on Gaius.
"The snakes on Valiant's shield come alive he's using magic."
"Are you sure"
"If he's using magic to win he can't lose a single fight and his opponents will die. I have to tell Arthur."
"Is there any chance you might be mistaken?"
"I know what I saw."
"How will you explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?"
"Does it matter? He's using magic to cheat in the tournament."
"King Uther will never take the word of a servant over that of a knight."
"So my world counts for nothing?"
"My dear girl I'm afraid it counts for very little as far as the king is concerned."

Myrlinna stared in shock at Arthur's next opponent he was massive almost seven feet tall and broad as a house.
"You're not really going to fight that?"
"Yep he's strong as a bear but he's slow."
"And you're fast?"
"Exactly"
Why was she worrying about Arthur? But she didn't want him to get hurt.
"You're not worried are you?" Gaius asked her as she passed.
"About Arthur? Of course not."

Myrlinna noticed the score board and told Gaius.
"Valiant's going to fight Arthur in the final and he'll use the snake shield to kill him."
Myrlinna couldn't let Arthur die. The dragon's words echoed in her head. I don't have to marry him I can just protect him she told herself trying to stop herself from believing the dragon's words were coming true. She checked Valiant was at the feast and headed to his chambers. She picked up his sword it was heavier than it looked but she still just about managed to trace the snake shape on the shield with it. She thought she heard a noise and turned around as she did a snake rose out of Valiant's shield. She struck its head off with Valiant's sword and the other two came out the shield. She picked out the stone head of the dead snake and ran.

Gaius extracted venom from the snake head and told her "I'll get started on the antidote."
"I'm going to warn Arthur."
"You'll need this." Gaius passed her the snake head "and Myrlinna that was very brave."

"You? You chopped its head off?"
"Yes"
"You're a girl"
"I had noticed."
"The snake comes from the shield and bites anyone who could beat him."
"Valiant wouldn't dare use magic in Camelot."
"Then how do you explain the snake bite?"
"I know you don't like him, I don't either but that doesn't mean he's cheating."
"When Gaius has finished the antidote knight Ewan will tell you what happened. If you fight him he will use the shield it's the only way he can beat you and you'll die. Please have you ever seen any snakes like this in Camelot?"
"We have to talk to the king he'll listen to you, I'm just a servant girl my word doesn't count for anything."
"Only if you swear to me this is true."
"It is I swear."

"Father I have reason to believe Knight Valiant has been using magic to cheat in the tournament." Arthur told King Uther.
"Do you have evidence?"
"Yes we do"
Arthur beckoned Myrlinna forward and she handed the king the snake head.
"Let me see this shield" ordered Uther.
Arthur drew his sword "Be careful father."
"Myrlinna" Gaius whispered "Knight Ewan is dead." then he drew back.
Arthur argued with his father "he's not going to let anyone see the snakes come alive."
"Then how do I know this is true" demanded Uther.
"We have a witness Knight Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes which is why he lost."
"Where is he?"
"He should be here"
"Wench" he snapped at Myrlinna "Where's Ewan"
"He's dead" she hung her head
"So you have no proof to support these allegations?" Uther asked his son.
"No"
"Have you seen Valiant using magic?"
"No but my maid thought."
"Your maid? You make these outrageous allegations against a knight on the word of your maid?"
"I don't like her but believe she speaks the truth."
"My lord am I really to be judged on some gossip from a bored wench?" Valiant asked Uther.
Myrlinna lost her temper "I saw those snakes come alive" she screamed.
"How dare you interrupt, guards arrest her." shouted the King.
Myrlinna found herself being dragged away.
"My lord." Valiant interrupted.
"Wait" Uther ordered the guards.
"I'm sure she was merely mistaken. No need to punish the girl."
"You see this is how a true knight behaves with gallantry and honour."
"My lords if your son is afraid to fight me I will accept his withdrawal" Valiant said.
"Is this true do you with to withdraw from the tournament?" Uther asked Arthur
"No"
"Then what am I to make of these accusations?"
"Obviously there has been a mistake. I withdraw the allegations and will fight accept my apology."
"Accepted" said Valiant.
Arthur stormed out Myrlinna was released she held Valiant's gaze just long enough for it to be taken as a threat and then followed Arthur.

She found him in his room his back to her he spoke.
"I believed you. I trusted you and you made me look a complete fool."
"Well it didn't go exactly to plan"
"Didn't go to plan my Father and the entire royal court think I'm a coward. You humiliated me." he shouted turning pink
"We can still stop Valiant."
"I no longer require your services"
"You're sacking me?"
"I need a servant I can trust."
"You can trust me"
Arthur slapped her so hard she fell to the ground.
"Get out of my sight" he yelled.

Arthurs POV
Everyone thought he was a coward. Why had he trusted her? Because there was something about her that made him feel safe that made him feel good. He knew she was right but he wouldn't admit it. He wished he hadn't hit her. He got the same knotted feeling he got when Valiant had tried to rape her. She was so infuriating he wasn't sure whether to like her of hate her.

Myrlinna's POV
Why was she so sad? She had hated being Arthur's servant? The dragon had been wrong and she was going to tell him that.
"Where are you?" she called to the dragon "I just came to tell you you've got the wrong girl whatever you think my destiny is you're wrong ." she turned to leave when the dragon landed behind her.
"If only it were that easy to escape destiny."
"But how can I marry someone who hates me?"
"One half can never truly hate that which makes it whole."
"Great more riddles."
"That your and Arthurs path lies together is but the truth."
"What's that supposed to mean"
"You know young sorceress this is not the end this is merely the beginning."
"Why can't you just give me a straight answer?" Myrlinna screamed angrily as the dragon flew off.

Myrlinna was trying to work everything out on the steps of the castle when Gwen came to talk to her. She sat next to her and asked.
"Is it true what you said about Valiant?" Myrlinna just nodded.
"What are you going to do?"
"Why is this my responsibility all of a sudden?"
"Because it is, isn't it?"
"What do I do then"
"I don't know"
Myrlinna's eyes fell on a stone dog. And she had a thought. She made poor Gwen who thought her friend had gone insane hep her lift it into a wheelbarrow so she could take it to her room.

"What are you doing?" Gaius asked her.
"I must make everyone see the snakes for themselves, help me get this to my room."
Gaius helped Myrlinna lift it out the wheelbarrow onto her bedroom floor.
She found the magic book Gaius had given her and muttered "Mbay umdofay arisam quicam."
"Mbay umdofay arisam quicam, Mbay umdofay arisam quicam" she tried all night every time she stopped concentrating she saw Arthur being killed by Valiant's snakes it didn't help that she could hear him practising fighting in the courtyard below.

Finally she gave up when she heard Arthur stop practising she had to try on more time to get him to withdraw.
"I thought I told you to get out of my sight" Arthur said as soon as she entered his chamber. He stood in the middle of his room staring into the fire. But his eyes quickly flickered to her left cheek were she had a large purple bruise from when he'd hit her.
"If you fight tomorrow Valiant will use the shield against you."
"I know"
"Then withdraw"
"Don't you understand I can't withdraw I'm the future king I have to show I can lead men into battle."
"If you fight you die"
"Then I'll die
"How can you do this?"
"Do what?"
"Face your death"
"I have to it's my duty. I know I'm a coward but I have to do this."
"You're not a coward"
"I am I'm frightened"
Myrlinna felt it was safe to walk over and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Being brave is not whether or not you feel fear. It's feeling fear and still going through with it. You're no coward. You're the bravest man I've ever met." And then she added "but your still an arrogant Jerk"
Arthur smiled weakly and touched her bruised cheek.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have hit you"
"I don't mind I've had worse." She tried one last time.
"Please"
"No I have to do this"
"I understand"
Myrlinna turned and left. She was going to get this spell right if it killed her. Her chest felt knotted at the thought of what would happen if she failed.

Arthur POV
Arthur should have been thinking about his impending death but his thoughts were on Myrlinna. Her words echoed through his head "Your the bravest man I've ever met."Women had called him brave before but there was something about Myrlinna that made people sure she spoke the truth or at least what she believed was the truth.
"Let me help" A womans voice told him his couldn't help but feel a bit dissapointed when he saw it was Morganna. But he let her help him.
"Arthur be careful" she called to him but It meant nothing to him he had always known Morganna loved him and wanted to be his queen. The thought of having a queen turned his thoughts back to Myrlinna. No. He told himself she would never be his. He didn't want her to be his. Did he?
Arthur sighed it was too late to worry about that now, he stepped into the battleground and walked to his death.

Myrlinna's POV
She must have chanted the same words over and over again she was falling asleep until she heard a bark. Suddenly wide awake she realised she'd done it. The dog ran at her growling and she moved out the way quickly slamming her door shut behind her. She ran past Gaius.
"Don't go in my room I'll deal with it later."
Myrlinna ran to the battleground and saw Arthur knocked to the ground by Valiant her heart almost stopped. But Arthur jumped back up. She hid behind a pillar near the stadium. Now was perfect everyone would see the snakes she began to chant,
"Mbay umdofay arisam quicam, Mbay umdofay arisam quicam" the snakes slithered out of Valiant's shield towards Arthur. Myrlinna hadn't thought about this part.
"Now they see you for what you really are" Arthur told Valiant.
"Kill him" Valiant ordered the snakes. Arthur has no sword Myrlinna thought quickly she grabbed sword from the rack of other knights swords and threw it to Arthur she used magic to make sure it reached him but did it so it looked like a lucky throw.
"Arthur" she shouted and she caught his attention he caught the sword.
Arthur killed the snakes and Valiant easily he was a great warrior she would admit that now.
Myrlinna couldn't stop smiling as everyone cheered their prince, but Gaius came running towards her shouting,
"Oh my god what have you done?" she looked down to see her arm was covered in blood. She must have cut it on the sword she threw Arthur and not noticed. Gaius pulled her way before she lost too much blood but her eyes caught Arthurs just before she fainted.

Myrlinna woke up in her bed. "What happened?" she asked instead of Gaius's voice she heard another one, Arthur,
"When picked up the sword you threw me you cut yourself and fainted from blood loss. You really need throwing lessons."
Myrlinna smirked and got out of bed she still wore the dress she'd worn at the tournament.
"I saved your life twice If anyone needs lessons it's you."
"Once you saved my life once."
"What about today?"
"That doesn't count I'd have thought of something."
"Arrogant, egotistical, fool"
"Are you coming to the feast or are you going to stand here insulting me?"
"I'm going to stand here insulting you."
"Well good luck, I'm going to the feast bye."

"He likes you" Gaius told Myrlinna as soon as Arthur left.
"No he doesn't"
"Yes he does, he was supposed to take part in a ceremony where he would be crowned champion after winning the fight but instead he forfeited his place as champion to come and sit by your bedside for four hours."
"What? He did that? Why?"
"Because he likes you. Go on go to the feast you need some food and I've run out."
Myrlinna was hungry so she decided to go.
She saw Arthur who had already made his way halfway across the courtyard.
"Arthur" he stopped allowing her to catch up but she suddenly felt dizzy and almost collapsed Arthur caught her.
"I wanted to thank you for what you did."
"Is that all you decided to come all this way for?"
"No I decided to come to the feast Gaius has run out of food."
"No he hasn't I he had a great cupboard full of it I saw it when I was waiting for you to wake up. You have been tricked."
Myrlinna shrugged.
"I suppose I may as well come now."
They walked in silence until they reached the door of the great hall. Where Arthur grabbed her and pulled her aside.
"I just want to say I made a mistake it was unfair to sack you."
"Buy me a drink and we'll call it even." Myrlinna smiled.
"Um I can't really be seen to be buying drinks for my servants."
"Your servant? You sacked me, remember?"
"Well I rehire you, my chambers need cleaning, my clothes need washing, my armour needs repairing, my boots need cleaning, my dogs need exercise, my fire place needs sweeping and my stables need mucking out."
"Do I get a drink or not?"
"Oh what the hell just this one time though don't do bragging about this Myrlinna."
Myrlinna smiled up at him
"What?" he asked
"You called me Myrlinna"
"That's your name, isn't it?"
"Yes but you never said it before you usually call me wench or girl."
Myrlinna took Arthurs arm as he lead her into the hall.

Morganna's POV
Morganna waited at the door as instructed ready to take Arthurs arm but he walked in with Linna on his arm. Linna of all people. Morganna liked Linna but she had crossed a line. Arthur was hers. The way Arthur looked at her like he was trying to hide his feelings. In fact the only one fooled by Arthurs charade was Myrlinna she didn't realise he had feelings for her. She acted oblivious. Morganna would have to talk to Myrlinna. She was a kind girl she would understand Arthur was Morgnna's.